http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14238279p-15058748c.html
Knockout performance
Kings top Clippers again, head into tough final stretch
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, April 3, 2006
In this same Arco Arena building, the Kings had entered the night before and experienced the rare phenomenon of not being the main event.
That title belonged to so many cage fighters who were ready to brawl, ready to ruthlessly defend their honor for the sake of pride, glory and the almighty dollar. Like so many other fans, approximately half the Kings' team took in the bloodlust action.
One night later, the main event changed and the theme remained, as the Kings gave all appearances that they are ready to fight their way to the finish in a 106-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
The first strike came in the form of a 9-0 start, and the Kings trailed for all of 17 seconds midway through the third quarter. With Brad Miller's 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting keying an offense that shot 48.8 percent from the field (40 for 82), the Kings beat the Clippers for the 12th straight time overall and 16th consecutive time at home - not your father's Clippers, mind you, but the team with the fourth-best record in the Western Conference.
And they maintained a cushion on the eighth spot in the Western Conference, as they lead New Orleans by two games.
In their final eight games - which are split between home and road - the Kings have the toughest schedule of any team. Their opponents' winning percentage is .586. Among teams in the race for eighth, Utah is third (.546) and New Orleans sixth (.535).
Winners of three straight, the Kings talked like a team regaining the confidence that helped them win 14 of 18 games just weeks ago.
"It's going to be tough, but if anyone can get the wins, I think we can," point guard Mike Bibby said.
They won this one despite the strangest Kings-killer of them all - Clippers center Chris Kaman - coming five points shy of his career high with a 20-point outing. He also had 10 rebounds, all part of another downfall that somehow didn't bring the Kings down.
They were outrebounded 54-31, with no King tallying double-digit rebounds while Kaman, Vladimir Radmanovic and Elton Brand each did so in combining for 33.
"They killed us on the boards, but we kept playing," small forward Ron Artest said. "That's the game of basketball. If they kill you on the boards, there's always something else you can do to win the game."
The counter was their second 100-plus scoring outing in three games, after they had done so just once in the seven previous games. They also held a team under 100 points for the 26th time in 32 games since acquiring Artest.
Bibby had 22 points, hitting 4 of 9 three-pointers while tying Bonzi Wells for the team high in assists (seven). Artest had 26 points, including eight straight midway through the third after former King Cuttino Mobley hit a three-pointer to put the Clippers up 59-58.
Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit 8 of 10 shots for 18 points in 27 minutes off the bench. In his last five games, Abdur-Rahim has hit 31 of 48 shots (64.6 percent). He did it at both ends, too, helping hold Brand to 16 points.
"I thought he battled Brand very nicely the whole second half," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "Shareef made him work for everything."
Not that any of the Clippers were working all that hard.
"Physically we were there, but mentally we weren't there," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Twenty-two turnovers for 27 points and seven offensive boards for another 12 points? That tells me I'm wasting my breath."
The Kings hit seven of their first 11 shots, then finished the first quarter on a 7-2 run to lead 30-18. Finishing quarters would become a trend. Just after a Brand dunk cut the lead to 45-41, Artest, Wells and Bibby scored, and Miller hit two free throws in what added up to another 7-2 run to finish a quarter and put the Kings up 52-43 at halftime.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
Knockout performance
Kings top Clippers again, head into tough final stretch
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Monday, April 3, 2006
In this same Arco Arena building, the Kings had entered the night before and experienced the rare phenomenon of not being the main event.
That title belonged to so many cage fighters who were ready to brawl, ready to ruthlessly defend their honor for the sake of pride, glory and the almighty dollar. Like so many other fans, approximately half the Kings' team took in the bloodlust action.
One night later, the main event changed and the theme remained, as the Kings gave all appearances that they are ready to fight their way to the finish in a 106-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
The first strike came in the form of a 9-0 start, and the Kings trailed for all of 17 seconds midway through the third quarter. With Brad Miller's 25 points on 9-for-13 shooting keying an offense that shot 48.8 percent from the field (40 for 82), the Kings beat the Clippers for the 12th straight time overall and 16th consecutive time at home - not your father's Clippers, mind you, but the team with the fourth-best record in the Western Conference.
And they maintained a cushion on the eighth spot in the Western Conference, as they lead New Orleans by two games.
In their final eight games - which are split between home and road - the Kings have the toughest schedule of any team. Their opponents' winning percentage is .586. Among teams in the race for eighth, Utah is third (.546) and New Orleans sixth (.535).
Winners of three straight, the Kings talked like a team regaining the confidence that helped them win 14 of 18 games just weeks ago.
"It's going to be tough, but if anyone can get the wins, I think we can," point guard Mike Bibby said.
They won this one despite the strangest Kings-killer of them all - Clippers center Chris Kaman - coming five points shy of his career high with a 20-point outing. He also had 10 rebounds, all part of another downfall that somehow didn't bring the Kings down.
They were outrebounded 54-31, with no King tallying double-digit rebounds while Kaman, Vladimir Radmanovic and Elton Brand each did so in combining for 33.
"They killed us on the boards, but we kept playing," small forward Ron Artest said. "That's the game of basketball. If they kill you on the boards, there's always something else you can do to win the game."
The counter was their second 100-plus scoring outing in three games, after they had done so just once in the seven previous games. They also held a team under 100 points for the 26th time in 32 games since acquiring Artest.
Bibby had 22 points, hitting 4 of 9 three-pointers while tying Bonzi Wells for the team high in assists (seven). Artest had 26 points, including eight straight midway through the third after former King Cuttino Mobley hit a three-pointer to put the Clippers up 59-58.
Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit 8 of 10 shots for 18 points in 27 minutes off the bench. In his last five games, Abdur-Rahim has hit 31 of 48 shots (64.6 percent). He did it at both ends, too, helping hold Brand to 16 points.
"I thought he battled Brand very nicely the whole second half," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "Shareef made him work for everything."
Not that any of the Clippers were working all that hard.
"Physically we were there, but mentally we weren't there," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Twenty-two turnovers for 27 points and seven offensive boards for another 12 points? That tells me I'm wasting my breath."
The Kings hit seven of their first 11 shots, then finished the first quarter on a 7-2 run to lead 30-18. Finishing quarters would become a trend. Just after a Brand dunk cut the lead to 45-41, Artest, Wells and Bibby scored, and Miller hit two free throws in what added up to another 7-2 run to finish a quarter and put the Kings up 52-43 at halftime.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at (916) 326-5582 or samick@sacbee.com.
