March 14th, 2008 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in ?????????????????????????????? 
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I think it is safe to say that Thursday night’s game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings was anything but a track meet; on the contrary, it was quite the opposite.? Ron Artest flashed his defensive (6 steals) and offensive (22 points) prowess, in leading the Kings to an impressive 96-85 win over the Trail Blazers at Arco Arena.
The 3 days rest that the Kings got after defeating the Lakers on Sunday did them a world of good and it showed as they jumped out to a 34-27 lead; Sacramento’s John Salmons and Artest combined for 11 points, who used an 8-0 run to begin the second quarter in going into halftime with a 58-44 advantage.? After trailing for much of the game by double-digits, Portland?got to within 82-75 on a jumper by LaMarcus Aldridge with 7:08 remaining in the game.
But Sacramento would respond with 8 straight points, including a 3-pointer by Artest that put the Kings ahead 90-75 with 4:54 left to go; as a result, the Kings managed to remain in control for the rest of the contest.? Sacramento was led by Artest with 22 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 6steals, while Beno Udrih and Brad Miller scored 14 each – with Udrih grabbing?8 rebounds,?dishing 7 assists, but 6 turnovers, while Miller grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 4 assists and 2 steals.
Portland’s leading scorer was Brandon Roy with 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot, while Aldridge scored 20 with 6 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot.? Sacramento (29-35) now travels?to Phoenix to face the Suns Saturday. while Portland (34-32) flies to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves – also on Saturday.?
