Slam Dunk Central

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John Salmons had the night of his professional life scoring a a career high 31 points, as the?Sacramento Kings won on the road for the second time this season defeating the New Jersey Nets 106-101 Tuesday. New Jersey shot 50.6 % from the floor for the game including a game high 36 points from Richard Jefferson, but Sacramento’s strong first and fourth quarters were the difference in the game.??

Although the first time the Kings won on the road this season was last Friday when they slipped by the Philadelphia 76ers 100-99, New Jersey has not been the strongest defender of their home turf, as they now are 5-10 at home. The Kings came out smoking in the first quarter leading the Nets, 28-25 after the first quarter, and 52-50 at the half. New Jersey took the lead back at the end of the third quarter,up by 1 point at 78-77, but the fourth quarter is when Salmons came into his own.

?Salmons has been the starting shooting guard for Sacramento since Kevin Martin was injured 2 weeks ago, and he has taken to the starting lineup like a fish to water (sorry, I had to, it was too easy!) Salmons scored 6 points early in the final period and Sacramento gained the advantage over New Jersey as they went on a 10-1 run to open up 91-85 lead. The Nets?refused to give up and had cut the lead to 100-99, when Salmons showed he gets it. The shooting guard in his sixth season in the NBA second with Sacramento started to drive to the basket, saw teammate Francisco Garcia was open from outside the arc, and hit him with a bullet. Garcia made the trey and the lead was up to four at 103-99. Kings center Brad Miller (one of the most underrated big men in the NBA) clinched the win hitting 2 from the line.

Salmons who’s previous high was 27 points, shot 13-18 from the floor, 2-3 from outside the arc, 3-5 from the line, with 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. Garcia who shot 5-8 treys scored 24 points, Miller had a double-double, 23 points, 10 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal. “Tru-Warrior” Ron Artest, who to his credit so far this season has played the good soldier scored 20 points, 4 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal.

Jefferson shot 12-19 from the field a perfect 11-11 from the line, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, Jason Kidd missed a triple-double by 1?assist, 11 points, 1o boards, 9 assists, 2 steals. Vince Carter scored 15 points, 7 assists, 6 boards, 1 block,?Antoine?Wright scored 13 points off the bench, 3 rebounds,?1 assist. Sean Williams scored 11 points, 8 blocked shots, 7 boards, 2 steals, 1 assist, and Malik Allen scored 10 points off the bench 4 rebounds,1 steal, 1 assist. Sacramento is now 10-14, New Jersey is 10-15.

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