http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/144008.html
Kings rebound strongly
Mike Bibby hits nine three-pointers to set a franchise record.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, March 26, 2007
They lost the rebounding battle.
And if that's not a misleading line, then it also must hold true that Ron Artest is an entirely predictable member of the Kings.
But the Kings did lose the battle of the boards 39-38 to Phoenix on the same Sunday afternoon when the organization tried to rebound from the news that Artest is talking about retiring after this season.
The margin is of significance only because they had lost to the Suns by 25 in the same statistical category just three days before.
Hence, a refining of the act that competed but couldn't stay with the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday turned into a surprising 107-100 victory at Arco Arena.
Not only did they break a three-game losing streak during a stretch in which they'd lost eight of nine, the much-improved-for-a-day Kings appeared to regain some of the pride lost during this season's collapse.
Mike Bibby set a franchise record with nine three-pointers in 12 attempts, including three in the final 3:30 as the Kings' point guard sparked a home crowd that responded to the impressive play with a thunderous vibe so often lacking this season.
"We really haven't given them anything to be happy about," said Bibby, who broke Mitch Richmond's mark of eight set Feb. 25, 1994, against the Los Angeles Clippers. "Once we give them something to be happy about, they get excited."
There was plenty of reason this time. With the Kings up 91-90 with 4:22 remaining, Francisco García's free throws extended the lead to three. Then Bibby hit a three from the top of the arc with Steve Nash's hand in his face, putting the Kings ahead by six.
Bibby's hand only grew hotter. After the Suns cut the lead to two on Shawn Marion's midrange jumper, Bibby showed no hesitation as he launched a 27-footer from the left wing that flew past Nash and found the net to put the Kings up by five with 1:15 to go. Bibby -- who scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter and hit 13 of 23 shots overall -- hit his last long-range look with 38.1 seconds left. That three from the left corner had Bibby shuffling to the other end of the floor doing his trademark shoulder-shaking jig.
"My other shot wasn't going in from inside the paint, so I just figured I'd shoot threes for the rest of the game," Bibby said. "They were going in. They were letting me shoot out there."
For a game, Artest held true to his promise to teammates that his retirement consideration won't affect his play. He had 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists.
The Suns, who seem destined to secure the Western Conference's second playoff seed, have lost three of their past five games after winning 11 of their past 12.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings rebound strongly
Mike Bibby hits nine three-pointers to set a franchise record.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, March 26, 2007
They lost the rebounding battle.
And if that's not a misleading line, then it also must hold true that Ron Artest is an entirely predictable member of the Kings.
But the Kings did lose the battle of the boards 39-38 to Phoenix on the same Sunday afternoon when the organization tried to rebound from the news that Artest is talking about retiring after this season.
The margin is of significance only because they had lost to the Suns by 25 in the same statistical category just three days before.
Hence, a refining of the act that competed but couldn't stay with the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday turned into a surprising 107-100 victory at Arco Arena.
Not only did they break a three-game losing streak during a stretch in which they'd lost eight of nine, the much-improved-for-a-day Kings appeared to regain some of the pride lost during this season's collapse.
Mike Bibby set a franchise record with nine three-pointers in 12 attempts, including three in the final 3:30 as the Kings' point guard sparked a home crowd that responded to the impressive play with a thunderous vibe so often lacking this season.
"We really haven't given them anything to be happy about," said Bibby, who broke Mitch Richmond's mark of eight set Feb. 25, 1994, against the Los Angeles Clippers. "Once we give them something to be happy about, they get excited."
There was plenty of reason this time. With the Kings up 91-90 with 4:22 remaining, Francisco García's free throws extended the lead to three. Then Bibby hit a three from the top of the arc with Steve Nash's hand in his face, putting the Kings ahead by six.
Bibby's hand only grew hotter. After the Suns cut the lead to two on Shawn Marion's midrange jumper, Bibby showed no hesitation as he launched a 27-footer from the left wing that flew past Nash and found the net to put the Kings up by five with 1:15 to go. Bibby -- who scored 14 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter and hit 13 of 23 shots overall -- hit his last long-range look with 38.1 seconds left. That three from the left corner had Bibby shuffling to the other end of the floor doing his trademark shoulder-shaking jig.
"My other shot wasn't going in from inside the paint, so I just figured I'd shoot threes for the rest of the game," Bibby said. "They were going in. They were letting me shoot out there."
For a game, Artest held true to his promise to teammates that his retirement consideration won't affect his play. He had 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds and three assists.
The Suns, who seem destined to secure the Western Conference's second playoff seed, have lost three of their past five games after winning 11 of their past 12.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
