Martin’s career-best 43 help Kings outlast Knicks in double OT 123-118

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Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin, left, goes up for the shot over New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, right, during the fourth quarter of the New York Knicks-Sacramento Kings game, played on Friday night. Martin scored a career-high 43 points as Sacramento beat New York 123-118 in double overtime.

?I think it is safe to say that Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin is becoming the team’s go-to guy when it counts the most.? Martin’s 3-pointer capped a Sacramento 9-2 run in the second overtime that boosted the Kings to a win over the New York Knicks 123-118 at Arco Arena.

The game was nip-and-tuck throughout, with the Kings leading at halftime 57-47.? The game continued to have several lead changes before Sacramento swingman John Salmons’ 3-point play out the Kings up 97-95 late in regulation.? But Knicks center Eddy Curry tied the game at 97 when he grabbed an offensive rebound on a missed shot by G Jamal Crawford.? Curry missed a shot with a second left to send the game into overtime number 1.

As expected, both teams scored 10 points apiece to tie the game at 107 to send the game into a second overtime.? The aforementioned 9-2 Sacramento run gave the Kings a 116-109 lead with 1:34 left in overtime. 6 free throws, 4 by Martin and 2 by Salmons, finished out the scoring and sealed the win for Sacramento.?

Martin led all Kings scorers with a career-best 43 points with 10 rebounds.? F Ron Artest, back from a league suspension, added 28 with 8 boards in his season debut; Salmons scored 16 with 7 boards and 4 assists.? New York was led by the aforementioned Curry with a solid effort, with 27 points and 9 rebounds while F David Lee and Crawford scored 24 points apiece; Lee also grabbed 16 rebounds.? Sacramento (3-6) play again on Sunday evening, hosting the Detroit Pistons, while New York (2-6) fly out to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Saturday night.