Wed 19 Mar 2008
K-Mart, Artest Combine For 60, Kings Crown Warriors 122-105
Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main
??????????????????????????
?
Despite being a bit short-handed (Beno Udrih out with a back problem and reserve Spencer Hawes with a sore foot), the Sacramento Kings had to go up against the run-and-gun team based out of Oakland, the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night.? Despite the loss of Udrih and Hawes, Kevin Martin and Ron Artest stepped up to the plate, scoring a combined 60 points in leading the Kings to a relatively easy win over the Warriors 122-105 at Arco Arena.
The Kings outhustled the Warriors in almost every way; they out-shot the Warriors 58% to 41%, they out-rebounded them 48-43 and dished out assists much more often, 25-15.? Both teams shot well in the first half as they played the high-octane game expected, especially from Golden State; the Kings went into halftime with a 61-57 lead.? Sacramento?methodically moved ahead?of Golden State in the third quarter, taking a 97-74 lead with a 16-2 run late in the period; the Kings shot 62% through three quarters.
Mindful that the Warriors have to play the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night, Golden State coach Don Nelson fought off the urge to rest his starters; however, a 17-2 run changed that as they pulled to within 107-101 with 5:35 left.? The Kings would hold the Warriors scoreless for the next 5:02 until Mickael Pietrus’ layup with 33 ticks remaining on the clock.? Sacramento’s leading scorer was Martin with 34 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, while Artest scored 26 with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a blocked shot; Mikki Moore had a solid game, adding 19 with 10 rebounds, an assist and 3 blocked shots, while Anthony Johnson, in place of Udrih, pitched in with 13 along with 6 rebounds, 13 assists and a blocked shot.
Golden State was led by Baron Davis with 24 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists and a steal, while Andres Biedrins scored 13 with 8 rebounds in a losing cause.? Sacramento (31-36) now travels to San Antonio to take on the Spurs Friday, while Golden State (41-25) flies south to Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Wednesday.
