http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12162637p-13032749c.html
Chances lost, and so is the game
The Spurs commit 20 turnovers, but the Kings commit 17 of their own and fall by 10 on the road.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, January 28, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Time and time again Thursday, the Kings had chances to avenge Sunday's home loss to the San Antonio Spurs - a loss they brought on themselves with poor play.
This time, the Kings' 90-80 loss was the product of poor ballhandling, questionable decision-making, impatience and the Spurs' strong defense. Kings fans, however, might also have cited Peja Stojakovic sitting out with back spasms and some questionable calls by the referees.
San Antonio (35-10) led virtually from start to finish despite 20 turnovers, though the Kings committed 17 of their own, many clearly unforced. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the Kings thrive off turnovers.
"Against Sacramento," he said, "turnovers are a big part of their offense. They convert well and change direction. We helped them stay in the game. That's disappointing."
It didn't hurt the Spurs to have Manu Ginobili (25 points) and Tim Duncan (20 points, game-high 12 rebounds) on its side.
Coach Rick Adelman pointed out that four or five times, Kings players tried to dribble before they had control of the ball.
"It seemed like every time we did that," Adelman said. "(The Spurs) got the ball back and scored. You've got to get the ball first, especially on the road.
"I've never seen it happen like that so much in one game. I've got to give it to (the Spurs). They are aggressive here.
"But we competed with them all night long. We just didn't have enough at the end."
The Kings trailed by double digits in each quarter. They rallied in the beginning of the second to take their only lead (35-34) with 8:24 left in the first half on a dunk by Darius Songaila.
The second-year forward stole the ball from Spurs forward Malik Rose, who hung his head and covered it with his jersey in frustration while Songaila ran past him and took a pass from Cuttino Mobley for the basket.
After that play, Rose was benched for all but the game's final 46 seconds.
"We didn't play our best basketball," Duncan said. "We gave them too many opportunities to get back in the game."
The Kings also had a chance to tie the game 64-64 in the third on a steal and apparent layup by rookie Kevin Martin with 1:28 left in the third. But Matt Barnes, who played a solid third quarter but sat out the game's final nine minutes, was mistakenly whistled for offensive goal-tending on a ball he did not touch.
The best place for Chris Webber at the start of the game might have been on Adelman's bench, because he was a liability on each end of the floor. He couldn't make shots, nor could he move around the court to rotate defensively as he came back from the sprained right ankle that led him to miss Tuesday night's game against New Jersey.
And the Kings, despite center Brad Miller entering the game making 11 consecutive field-goal attempts, did not appear to make a concerted attempt to get him more shots. Miller eventually made his first four to come within one of Wayman Tisdale's team-record 16 consecutive makes over two games.
Miller finished 8 for 13 and 3 for 3 from the free-throw line to lead the Kings with 19 points.
The Kings, though, could not get the job done down the stretch with just one field goal (Webber's three-pointer) in final last eight shots during the final 5:06 after getting within 78-77 on Miller's layup off a feed from Webber.
"We are not happy just because it was closer," Webber said. "A loss is a loss."
Mobley struggled during the game's final three quarters and missed his last eight shots.
"Obviously they are the best team in the league right now," Adelman said. "They hurt us getting to the basket - (guard Tony) Parker in the first half and then Ginobili in the second half."
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Chances lost, and so is the game
The Spurs commit 20 turnovers, but the Kings commit 17 of their own and fall by 10 on the road.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, January 28, 2005
SAN ANTONIO - Time and time again Thursday, the Kings had chances to avenge Sunday's home loss to the San Antonio Spurs - a loss they brought on themselves with poor play.
This time, the Kings' 90-80 loss was the product of poor ballhandling, questionable decision-making, impatience and the Spurs' strong defense. Kings fans, however, might also have cited Peja Stojakovic sitting out with back spasms and some questionable calls by the referees.
San Antonio (35-10) led virtually from start to finish despite 20 turnovers, though the Kings committed 17 of their own, many clearly unforced. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the Kings thrive off turnovers.
"Against Sacramento," he said, "turnovers are a big part of their offense. They convert well and change direction. We helped them stay in the game. That's disappointing."
It didn't hurt the Spurs to have Manu Ginobili (25 points) and Tim Duncan (20 points, game-high 12 rebounds) on its side.
Coach Rick Adelman pointed out that four or five times, Kings players tried to dribble before they had control of the ball.
"It seemed like every time we did that," Adelman said. "(The Spurs) got the ball back and scored. You've got to get the ball first, especially on the road.
"I've never seen it happen like that so much in one game. I've got to give it to (the Spurs). They are aggressive here.
"But we competed with them all night long. We just didn't have enough at the end."
The Kings trailed by double digits in each quarter. They rallied in the beginning of the second to take their only lead (35-34) with 8:24 left in the first half on a dunk by Darius Songaila.
The second-year forward stole the ball from Spurs forward Malik Rose, who hung his head and covered it with his jersey in frustration while Songaila ran past him and took a pass from Cuttino Mobley for the basket.
After that play, Rose was benched for all but the game's final 46 seconds.
"We didn't play our best basketball," Duncan said. "We gave them too many opportunities to get back in the game."
The Kings also had a chance to tie the game 64-64 in the third on a steal and apparent layup by rookie Kevin Martin with 1:28 left in the third. But Matt Barnes, who played a solid third quarter but sat out the game's final nine minutes, was mistakenly whistled for offensive goal-tending on a ball he did not touch.
The best place for Chris Webber at the start of the game might have been on Adelman's bench, because he was a liability on each end of the floor. He couldn't make shots, nor could he move around the court to rotate defensively as he came back from the sprained right ankle that led him to miss Tuesday night's game against New Jersey.
And the Kings, despite center Brad Miller entering the game making 11 consecutive field-goal attempts, did not appear to make a concerted attempt to get him more shots. Miller eventually made his first four to come within one of Wayman Tisdale's team-record 16 consecutive makes over two games.
Miller finished 8 for 13 and 3 for 3 from the free-throw line to lead the Kings with 19 points.
The Kings, though, could not get the job done down the stretch with just one field goal (Webber's three-pointer) in final last eight shots during the final 5:06 after getting within 78-77 on Miller's layup off a feed from Webber.
"We are not happy just because it was closer," Webber said. "A loss is a loss."
Mobley struggled during the game's final three quarters and missed his last eight shots.
"Obviously they are the best team in the league right now," Adelman said. "They hurt us getting to the basket - (guard Tony) Parker in the first half and then Ginobili in the second half."
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
