?????????????????????????????? Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, center, hangs on the rim after stuffing over Portland Trail Blazers forward Travis Outlaw, left, and forward LaMarcus Aldridge, right, during the fourth quarter of their game, played Thursday night. Sacramento beat Portland 96-85.?

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.?


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