Bee: Bibby has a few tricks for Magic

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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14080689p-14911137c.html
Bibby has a few tricks for Magic
The Kings' guard scores a career-high 42 points to lead Sacramento to a win.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, January 16, 2006


Mike Bibby landed on the Arco Arena floor as if he'd been rolled out of the back end of a truck in the fast lane.

And when he received press-row grief for having an ice pack administered to his fanny during three late timeouts Sunday night, even the retort and follow-up grin came with a grimace. All told, Bibby was in fine working order, and for now, so are the Kings.

Bibby managed a career-high 42 points, the Kings managed to hold off a furious late run by the equally depleted and desperate Orlando Magic, and the home-floor crowd managed roars to the end, unlike in last Sunday's mess against the Indiana Pacers. Sacramento prevailed 104-100, with Bibby achieving a career-high - and bettering his 40-point effort against the New York Knicks last season - with the final-points free throws with .4 of a second remaining.

The veteran guard then hobbled out of the place, his backside smarting from a collision in the lane, which was about the only legal tactic that could offer him any resistance.

And yes, Bibby wanted the win as much as he wanted the personal achievement, particularly after his frustrating outing on Friday when he shot just 3 of 12 for six points in a rout at the hands of the New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma. Still, he needed an inbound pass from Brad Miller to draw a stop-the-clock foul after Jameer Nelson pulled his club to within 102-100 with a driving layup.

"We talked about that," said Miller. "I told him, 'Don't worry. I'll get it to you.' But I asked him, 'Do we even count (the career-high) since it came on the line with about no time left?' "

The Kings could chuckle for the first time in a good while here. They moved to within one game of .500 at Arco at 10-11 and withstood the efforts of an aging star who impressed in his return in Grant Hill (18 points) and the efforts of two cornerstones for years to come in Nelson (29 points, nine assists) and Dwight Howard (18 points, 19 rebounds). Not to mention managing just 18 points in the paint (with Orlando going for 44) and having a bench that scored just four points. Then again, most of the bench is starting as the Kings again went without Peja Stojakovic (still day-to-day with a bad back), Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Bonzi Wells.

Kevin Martin, starting in place of Wells, shook off a poor road trip with perhaps his best game as a pro. He had a career-high-tying 22 points and a career-high 10 rebounds, and most important, he made four free throws down the stretch to hold off the Magic, which has now lost eight straight on the road and staggers back to Disney World wondering if its season is on the brink.

Nelson was able to reach the basket whenever he wanted to, and he kept his team within arm's reach with six points down the stretch.

"He's really aggressive to the basket, he's quick and he's strong," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We had our hands full controlling him."

The same could be said for Bibby. Down three starters, it becomes even more paramount that Bibby and Miller produce. When one is off, the Kings generally struggle. When both are off, no chance.

Bibby scored 15 in the third, when the Kings built a 14-point lead. He hit short jumpers, mid-range jumpers and he made three three-pointers in the period. He was 13 of 23 overall and 5 of 8 from three-point range. And he insists that his backside is fine, saying only that "it's a little sore."

"He was terrific," Adelman said. "He made big shot after big shot, and we needed it. It's like I told the team. It's a win we needed to get."

Miller had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Kenny Thomas had 11 points, and Francisco García had three blocked shots and four assists and plenty of ringing in his ears after getting chewed on by Adelman for making rookie mistakes.

About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at (916) 321-1280 or jdavidson@sacbee.com.
 
Mike Bibby landed on the Arco Arena floor as if he'd been rolled out of the back end of a truck in the fast lane.

And when he received press-row grief for having an ice pack administered to his fanny during three late timeouts Sunday night, even the retort and follow-up grin came with a grimace...

Now that's the kind of writing that really paints a visual image.

;)
 
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