http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/126719.html
Kings struggle again but prevail
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:28 am PST Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Proving that rest might heal the weary but does nothing to fix the ails of a team, the Kings returned from the All-Star break in the same underachieving form they had entered it.
That they beat the Boston Celtics 104-101 Tuesday night at Arco Arena absolutely matters because, well, they all matter now. Such is the reality for a team that is just 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot but has three teams in its way to get there.
And though the notion of surviving a close game is enough to keep Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof from throwing their remotes at the television, this was a rerun in every other way but the surprise ending.
With nearly 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Corliss Williamson hit a layup that seemed routine. It put the Kings up by 11 points, just as they had led by double digits for much of the second half.
But by the time it was over, when Delonte West's potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer was an airball, the Kings again had gone dry, as they held on against a team one game removed from a franchise-worst 18-game losing streak.
The Kings, who ended a three-game skid, hit just 1 of 11 shots in the final 9:37, and that was only part of the attempt at a giveaway. Seven of their 15 turnovers came in the final quarter, as the Kings hit only 4 of 15 shots and again struggled to rebound.
The overall tally was 44-33 in Boston's favor, with Al Jefferson grabbing 15 and the Kings being outrebounded for the 22nd time in the last 26 games.
Ron Artest had a block and an offensive rebound late that served as saviors, but the truth was that no one denies freebies like these Celtics. Although the return of Paul Pierce (26 points) is a boon, Boston simply couldn't concoct the comeback.
The Celtics fell despite shooting 50 percent from the field and negated a few baskets by missing 14 of 31 free throws.
"It's a miracle when you think about it that we were still in that game," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "Turnovers, fouls, and our transition offense was the worst. I don't know how many (three-point plays) we didn't convert."
The five-day break was good for something, though.
Kings center Brad Miller returned from his decreasingly painful bout with tissue inflammation in his left foot, though the soreness remains a significant issue. Miller started and logged 27 minutes, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Despite the fact that Miller practiced Monday night, Kings coach Eric Musselman said it's not a necessity.
"I don't need to see Brad practice anymore for the rest of the year if we can get him to play the games," Musselman said. "The important thing right now is for Brad to remain healthy and get the rehab and for us to not wear him out in practice."
This was the Kings' sixth victory in their last seven home games, which does nothing to help with the task ahead.
Starting with a game Thursday at Washington, the Kings have 11 of their next 15 games on the road, where they're 7-17 this season.
"Obviously we're tilted with more road games, so we have to play at a higher pace than we have been on the road," Musselman said.
"We have four games in five nights. We have one home game, then we go out for four. I think it's important that we're well-rested, that we manage our practices. We have to play hard every night because of where we're at."
They'll know more on that topic Thursday, when the league's trade deadline will pass and the roster will be set for the rest of the season. The likelihood of a Kings deal still appeared slim, though Mike Bibby remained in the speculation spotlight.
Bibby scored all 10 of his points in the first quarter, allowing much more damage than he was causing while West had 19 of his 23 points in the first half.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings struggle again but prevail
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:28 am PST Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Proving that rest might heal the weary but does nothing to fix the ails of a team, the Kings returned from the All-Star break in the same underachieving form they had entered it.
That they beat the Boston Celtics 104-101 Tuesday night at Arco Arena absolutely matters because, well, they all matter now. Such is the reality for a team that is just 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot but has three teams in its way to get there.
And though the notion of surviving a close game is enough to keep Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof from throwing their remotes at the television, this was a rerun in every other way but the surprise ending.
With nearly 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Corliss Williamson hit a layup that seemed routine. It put the Kings up by 11 points, just as they had led by double digits for much of the second half.
But by the time it was over, when Delonte West's potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer was an airball, the Kings again had gone dry, as they held on against a team one game removed from a franchise-worst 18-game losing streak.
The Kings, who ended a three-game skid, hit just 1 of 11 shots in the final 9:37, and that was only part of the attempt at a giveaway. Seven of their 15 turnovers came in the final quarter, as the Kings hit only 4 of 15 shots and again struggled to rebound.
The overall tally was 44-33 in Boston's favor, with Al Jefferson grabbing 15 and the Kings being outrebounded for the 22nd time in the last 26 games.
Ron Artest had a block and an offensive rebound late that served as saviors, but the truth was that no one denies freebies like these Celtics. Although the return of Paul Pierce (26 points) is a boon, Boston simply couldn't concoct the comeback.
The Celtics fell despite shooting 50 percent from the field and negated a few baskets by missing 14 of 31 free throws.
"It's a miracle when you think about it that we were still in that game," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "Turnovers, fouls, and our transition offense was the worst. I don't know how many (three-point plays) we didn't convert."
The five-day break was good for something, though.
Kings center Brad Miller returned from his decreasingly painful bout with tissue inflammation in his left foot, though the soreness remains a significant issue. Miller started and logged 27 minutes, finishing with 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Despite the fact that Miller practiced Monday night, Kings coach Eric Musselman said it's not a necessity.
"I don't need to see Brad practice anymore for the rest of the year if we can get him to play the games," Musselman said. "The important thing right now is for Brad to remain healthy and get the rehab and for us to not wear him out in practice."
This was the Kings' sixth victory in their last seven home games, which does nothing to help with the task ahead.
Starting with a game Thursday at Washington, the Kings have 11 of their next 15 games on the road, where they're 7-17 this season.
"Obviously we're tilted with more road games, so we have to play at a higher pace than we have been on the road," Musselman said.
"We have four games in five nights. We have one home game, then we go out for four. I think it's important that we're well-rested, that we manage our practices. We have to play hard every night because of where we're at."
They'll know more on that topic Thursday, when the league's trade deadline will pass and the roster will be set for the rest of the season. The likelihood of a Kings deal still appeared slim, though Mike Bibby remained in the speculation spotlight.
Bibby scored all 10 of his points in the first quarter, allowing much more damage than he was causing while West had 19 of his 23 points in the first half.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
