Kings Pull Away Late, End Jazz’ 10-Game Win Streak 117-104

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

????????????????????????????????? Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, right, goes to the basket against Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko and forward Carlos Boozer during the third quarter of their game, played Friday night. Sacramento defeated Utah 117-104.

The Sacramento Kings, with the able assistance of Kevin Martin, going to the free-throw line often (40-of-50 from the charity stripe)?and managing to pull away late in the game, sent the home crowd delighted as they snapped the Utah Jazz’ 10-game winning streak with a 117 104 win Friday night at Arco Arena.

Both teams shot relatively well in the first quarter, with Sacramento holding onto a 32-26 lead going into the second quarter; the Kings’ Kevin Martin scored 22 first-half points, enabling Sacramento to hold a slim 58-57 edge at halftime.? Trailing since the game’s?opening minutes, Utah scored 9 straight points to take a 77-73 lead at the 4:46 mark of the third period; but the Kings’ Quincy Douby drained a trey with 17 seconds left in the quarter, putting the Kings up 88-87 going into the fourth quarter.

Douby and reserve John Salmons proved to be important in the final period; Salmons made consecutive layups and Douby made back-to-back 3-pointers in a 10-4 run that put the Kings ahead to stay 109-99 with 5:10 left to go in the game.? Sacramento’s leading scorer was Martin with 27 points, 5 rebounds, an assist and a pair of steals; Ron Artest scored 22 with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.? Brad Miller and Douby scored 15 apiece – Miller also grabbed 8 boards.?

Utah was led by Carlos Boozer with 23 points with 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals; Deron Williams scored 18 with 9 assists, while Andrei Kirilenko?added 14 with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and 2 blocked shots.? Sacramento (23-25) takes the short trip on I-80?to face the Golden State Warriors Saturday, while Utah (32-19) returns home to host the Chicago Bulls – also on Saturday.

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