http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11857515p-12744493c.html
Kings notes: Evans able to stand and deliver
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 24, 2004
Maurice Evans would love it if Bobby Jackson returned in time for the New Year.
Since he won't, Evans is just fine if his seat on the bench stays as cold as the winter chill.
Evans took advantage of the minutes he inherited because of Jackson's sprained wrist, tallying season highs in points (12) and rebounds (eight overall, seven offensive) in the Kings' 109-107 loss to Miami.
His portfolio was on full display for Kings coach Rick Adelman, who watched Evans hit three-pointers, short-range jumpers and, of course, turn in plenty of acrobatic dunks.
Evans' last came with 1:27 remaining, as he grabbed a missed Peja Stojakovic layup and slammed it in for a 104-102 Kings lead.
"It's unfortunate that I got out there because Bobby (Jackson) was injured, but I feel like I belong," Evans said. "I was comfortable, confident, tried to pick my spot but not overextend myself."
Heat coach Stan Van Gundy was impressed.
"Maurice Evans was unbelievable," Van Gundy said. "He just killed us."
Keeping up with Jones - He was less than subtle about his specialty, flashing three fingers and a haughty grin every time another three-pointer fell.
But Miami Heat guard Damon Jones didn't have to tell the Kings about his shooting touch. They'd seen it before.
The former King was 4 of 8 from outside the arc and scored 18 points in the Heat's win, breaking the home team's back with every long-range swish.
Jones' three-pointer midway through the third quarter brought Miami back after it trailed by as many as 17 points, and it was followed by a running alley-oop by Shaquille O'Neal on the next possession to put Miami ahead 69-67. Jones' last three came with 23 seconds left in regulation, the game-winner that silenced the Arco Arena crowd.
Like every other member of the Heat, Jones has flourished in the presence of past and potential greatness (O'Neal and second-year point guard Dwyane Wade), becoming a full-time starter for the first time in his seven seasons and averaging 11.4 points and 3.7 assists entering play. In his lone season in Sacramento, Jones benefited in a different way, when injuries to Bobby Jackson and Mike Bibby opened up reserve minutes during the 2002-03 campaign.
Tit for tat - After nearly losing forward Brad Miller for the game in self-inflicted fashion, the Kings lost guard Doug Christie, seemingly, without their own doing.
And Wade was in the middle both times.
Christie, who earned his first technical foul in the second quarter by referee Scott Foster for arguing that he was fouled shooting, was given a second after being mowed over by Wade.
Running downcourt in the third quarter, Wade went out of his way to barrel into Christie, jerking his shoulder upward as they collided and Christie went flying. The two exchanged words and were both given technicals, meaning an ejection for Christie.
"There was a point where the officials said they were going to try and maintain peace so a situation like that doesn't happen," Adelman said. "But obviously it didn't matter to that official."
Miller had to leave in the first quarter, when he barreled over Wade as he tried to dunk. With blood running down his shin, Miller walked off the court and headed for the locker room while Wade stayed grounded.
But because Miller was due two free throws, he had to return to the court immediately or be ineligible to return. Adelman called timeout to buy time, and Miller returned with a bandage. With a laceration to the bone, he was given 15 stitches. He finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Et cetera - Confetti was released from the rafters just before tipoff. It didn't stop littering the hardwood until halfway through the first quarter, with workers picking up pieces while play commenced at the other end. O'Neal even tried to do his part, dunking so hard three minutes in that shreds of paper fell off the shot clock.
* Chris Webber sparked the Kings early, hitting his first six shots as the Kings led 25-17 in the first quarter. His first miss came on an 18-footer from the left, which he made up for by hitting the same shot two seconds later.
The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Evans able to stand and deliver
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 24, 2004
Maurice Evans would love it if Bobby Jackson returned in time for the New Year.
Since he won't, Evans is just fine if his seat on the bench stays as cold as the winter chill.
Evans took advantage of the minutes he inherited because of Jackson's sprained wrist, tallying season highs in points (12) and rebounds (eight overall, seven offensive) in the Kings' 109-107 loss to Miami.
His portfolio was on full display for Kings coach Rick Adelman, who watched Evans hit three-pointers, short-range jumpers and, of course, turn in plenty of acrobatic dunks.
Evans' last came with 1:27 remaining, as he grabbed a missed Peja Stojakovic layup and slammed it in for a 104-102 Kings lead.
"It's unfortunate that I got out there because Bobby (Jackson) was injured, but I feel like I belong," Evans said. "I was comfortable, confident, tried to pick my spot but not overextend myself."
Heat coach Stan Van Gundy was impressed.
"Maurice Evans was unbelievable," Van Gundy said. "He just killed us."
Keeping up with Jones - He was less than subtle about his specialty, flashing three fingers and a haughty grin every time another three-pointer fell.
But Miami Heat guard Damon Jones didn't have to tell the Kings about his shooting touch. They'd seen it before.
The former King was 4 of 8 from outside the arc and scored 18 points in the Heat's win, breaking the home team's back with every long-range swish.
Jones' three-pointer midway through the third quarter brought Miami back after it trailed by as many as 17 points, and it was followed by a running alley-oop by Shaquille O'Neal on the next possession to put Miami ahead 69-67. Jones' last three came with 23 seconds left in regulation, the game-winner that silenced the Arco Arena crowd.
Like every other member of the Heat, Jones has flourished in the presence of past and potential greatness (O'Neal and second-year point guard Dwyane Wade), becoming a full-time starter for the first time in his seven seasons and averaging 11.4 points and 3.7 assists entering play. In his lone season in Sacramento, Jones benefited in a different way, when injuries to Bobby Jackson and Mike Bibby opened up reserve minutes during the 2002-03 campaign.
Tit for tat - After nearly losing forward Brad Miller for the game in self-inflicted fashion, the Kings lost guard Doug Christie, seemingly, without their own doing.
And Wade was in the middle both times.
Christie, who earned his first technical foul in the second quarter by referee Scott Foster for arguing that he was fouled shooting, was given a second after being mowed over by Wade.
Running downcourt in the third quarter, Wade went out of his way to barrel into Christie, jerking his shoulder upward as they collided and Christie went flying. The two exchanged words and were both given technicals, meaning an ejection for Christie.
"There was a point where the officials said they were going to try and maintain peace so a situation like that doesn't happen," Adelman said. "But obviously it didn't matter to that official."
Miller had to leave in the first quarter, when he barreled over Wade as he tried to dunk. With blood running down his shin, Miller walked off the court and headed for the locker room while Wade stayed grounded.
But because Miller was due two free throws, he had to return to the court immediately or be ineligible to return. Adelman called timeout to buy time, and Miller returned with a bandage. With a laceration to the bone, he was given 15 stitches. He finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Et cetera - Confetti was released from the rafters just before tipoff. It didn't stop littering the hardwood until halfway through the first quarter, with workers picking up pieces while play commenced at the other end. O'Neal even tried to do his part, dunking so hard three minutes in that shreds of paper fell off the shot clock.
* Chris Webber sparked the Kings early, hitting his first six shots as the Kings led 25-17 in the first quarter. His first miss came on an 18-footer from the left, which he made up for by hitting the same shot two seconds later.
The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
