Dec

9

Late Songaila Basket Helps Hornets Hold Off Kings 96-94

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

David West

Tuesday night’s game between the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Hornets would prove to be one of the more exciting contests on the NBA schedule as both teams shot over 50% and both teams traded leads throughout the game. But perhaps the difference was that as opposed to the Hornets relying on either Chris Paul or David West late, they turned to an unlikely hero: Darius Songaila. He made a tough layup with 12 seconds left, allowing New Orleans to escape New Orleans Arena with a 96-94 win over Sacramento.

A Peja Stojakovic three-pointer helped the Hornets gain their largest lead at 29-17 before settling for a 29-19 advantage going into the second quarter. The Kings would chip away before getting to within 33-29 on a Andres Nocioni layup with 7:50 left in the half; a Jason Thompson jumper gave Sacramento its first lead at 36-35. Chris Paul’s free throw with 3:21 left in the period allowed New Orleans to regain the lead at 41-40 and a pair of Emeka Okafor free throws would tie things up at 48-48 going into halftime.

The third quarter had several lead changes with a Songaila  jumper with 2 seconds left in the third quarter bringing the Hornets to within 68-67 as both teams headed into the final 12 minutes. Nocioni drained a 16-footer which gave Sacramento their largest lead of the game at 76-69, but New Orleans would respond and retake the lead on a Paul 3-pointer with 5:50 left in the game. They would increase their lead to six before Tyreke Evans’ layup with 33 seconds remaining tied the game at 94-all; the game-winner for New Orleans came with 11 seconds left when Songaila made a tough layup with three Kings draped over him.

West led the Hornets with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and a block while Okafor added 17 with 12 rebounds, an assist and 4 blocks; Paul chipped in 15 with 5 rebounds, 12 assists and 3 steals. Evans led all Kings scorers with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists and a steal while Thompson added 20 with 9 rebounds and an assist.

New Orleans (9-11) plays again on Wednesday when they visit Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves while Sacramento (9-11) makes the short trip to San Antonio to face the Spurs – also on Wednesday night.


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