http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12596294p-13450662c.html
Backcourt springs to life down stretch
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, March 20, 2005
LOS ANGELES - Erik Daniels was no different than the other 19,816 fans inside the vibrating Staples Center.
On his feet, flanked by his Kings teammates on the no-sitting bench, hooting and hollering with every eye-popping play.
"That was amazing," Daniels said. "They can turn it on at any point in the game. They were going unconscious."
Consider that the team motto for this one. The comatose Kings, who could hardly complete a pass through three quarters, found a new state of mind just in time to concoct a cold-blooded 111-107 comeback on the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime.
Forward Kenny Thomas was the reason in the extra period, hitting two of three jump shots while guard Mike Bibby hit two shots of his own.
Brian Skinner had his redemption song, blocking guard Corey Maggette's shot on the Clippers' last chance after a Skinner traveling call nullified his apparent game-winner to end regulation.
But Daniels' impression was more directed at Bibby and Cuttino Mobley, who had a combined 17 points entering the fourth, yet finished with 19 and 24 points, respectively.
"We've got two guys in the backcourt who've got guts to take shots and do what they do," Mobley said. "It's a beautiful thing."
Indeed.
What led to overtime was nothing less than a rare Southern California tornado, the Kings and Clippers facing off in a no-blinking game of "horse." After just six lead changes in the game's first 45 minutes, there were nine in the final 2:12 of regulation.
Between both teams, 13 of the last 14 fourth quarter field goals found net. After shooting 34.3 percent through three quarters and trailing by nine, the Kings hit 12 of 19 in the fourth.
The breakthrough of Bibby and Mobley made it happen, the guards working the two-man game to perfection after three quarters of frustration.
The Kings had just eight assists through three quarters. Coupled with a 3-for-16 showing against Golden State on Thursday night, Bibby's cold streak ran to 6 of 31 entering the fourth.
But the beautiful backcourt took over. Bibby running the floor, eyes fixed on Mobley, who scored 10 straight points for the Kings to put them up 93-92 with 1:40 left.
"You can't make every shot you take," Bibby said. "So I started looking for (Mobley) every single time."
With everything falling and the Kings up 99-98, Maggette opted to play for the foul with 23.9 seconds left, leaning into Mobley but not getting the call. Maggette thought he was fouled on the final play of regulation, when Skinner blocked his driving layup.
The disappearance of Elton Brand and Maggette late helped the Kings. Maggette finished with 28 points and Brand with 22, but the duo combined for just 10 in the fourth quarter.
"They hit tough shot after tough shot," Maggette said.
Kings coach Rick Adelman, though, wasn't smiling alongside the rest of the Kings. His squad had three assists at halftime, no signs of cohesion until late. "We didn't pass the ball when guys were open," Adelman said. "They weren't making the extra pass. We did enough to win the game."
Backcourt springs to life down stretch
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, March 20, 2005
LOS ANGELES - Erik Daniels was no different than the other 19,816 fans inside the vibrating Staples Center.
On his feet, flanked by his Kings teammates on the no-sitting bench, hooting and hollering with every eye-popping play.
"That was amazing," Daniels said. "They can turn it on at any point in the game. They were going unconscious."
Consider that the team motto for this one. The comatose Kings, who could hardly complete a pass through three quarters, found a new state of mind just in time to concoct a cold-blooded 111-107 comeback on the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime.
Forward Kenny Thomas was the reason in the extra period, hitting two of three jump shots while guard Mike Bibby hit two shots of his own.
Brian Skinner had his redemption song, blocking guard Corey Maggette's shot on the Clippers' last chance after a Skinner traveling call nullified his apparent game-winner to end regulation.
But Daniels' impression was more directed at Bibby and Cuttino Mobley, who had a combined 17 points entering the fourth, yet finished with 19 and 24 points, respectively.
"We've got two guys in the backcourt who've got guts to take shots and do what they do," Mobley said. "It's a beautiful thing."
Indeed.
What led to overtime was nothing less than a rare Southern California tornado, the Kings and Clippers facing off in a no-blinking game of "horse." After just six lead changes in the game's first 45 minutes, there were nine in the final 2:12 of regulation.
Between both teams, 13 of the last 14 fourth quarter field goals found net. After shooting 34.3 percent through three quarters and trailing by nine, the Kings hit 12 of 19 in the fourth.
The breakthrough of Bibby and Mobley made it happen, the guards working the two-man game to perfection after three quarters of frustration.
The Kings had just eight assists through three quarters. Coupled with a 3-for-16 showing against Golden State on Thursday night, Bibby's cold streak ran to 6 of 31 entering the fourth.
But the beautiful backcourt took over. Bibby running the floor, eyes fixed on Mobley, who scored 10 straight points for the Kings to put them up 93-92 with 1:40 left.
"You can't make every shot you take," Bibby said. "So I started looking for (Mobley) every single time."
With everything falling and the Kings up 99-98, Maggette opted to play for the foul with 23.9 seconds left, leaning into Mobley but not getting the call. Maggette thought he was fouled on the final play of regulation, when Skinner blocked his driving layup.
The disappearance of Elton Brand and Maggette late helped the Kings. Maggette finished with 28 points and Brand with 22, but the duo combined for just 10 in the fourth quarter.
"They hit tough shot after tough shot," Maggette said.
Kings coach Rick Adelman, though, wasn't smiling alongside the rest of the Kings. His squad had three assists at halftime, no signs of cohesion until late. "We didn't pass the ball when guys were open," Adelman said. "They weren't making the extra pass. We did enough to win the game."
