http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/119123.html
Kings' winning streak is at three
Scott Brooks goes 2-0 in his stint as acting coach, and playoff talk resurfaces.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:41 am PST Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Scott Brooks smiled as Ron Artest walked to the free-throw line late in the fourth quarter. On the verge of going undefeated in his two-game stint as stand-in Kings coach, Brooks -- who had seen his team's 16-point third-quarter lead cut to three with 50 seconds left -- looked toward the Arco Arena fans and pondered what was about to come.
"It's never easy," Brooks said.
As Brooks would later say, the statement was true for the moment but more so for his life as a whole. And that much he has in common with these Kings, who have perfected nothing if not hardship.
But one of Artest's free throws went in, Kevin Martin followed with two more, and suddenly, the Kings were the team that finishes in the clutch. Their 105-99 victory over New Orleans on Monday night was their third in a row, with the outcome in the balance late in each game of the streak. The added bonus was in the opponents, as Minnesota, Denver and the Hornets qualify as contenders for the eighth spot that now is within three games of the Kings' reach.
"When we beat Minnesota, we realized how close we were to the eighth spot, that we weren't out of it," Kings swingman John Salmons said. "It seemed like the way the season was going that we were out of the playoffs, but I think once we realized we still could make it, we got a new energy around here."
And a new shot blocker.
Because rarities were in order, that was Brad Miller blocking Chris Paul's attempt with 19 seconds left, when the Hornets' point guard blew by Salmons, only to find the 7-footer jumping and swatting away his floater. For an encore, Miller followed the ball as it bounced to Devin Brown and denied his putback attempt with 16 seconds left.
"We are not a shot-blocking team, so that was very pleasing to the eye," Brooks said. "We take charges. That's what we call our shot blocks. Brad is a presence down there. He's a big body. He can block a few shots."
After the Kings scored 40 first-quarter points, tied a season high with 26 baskets in the first half and led 63-50 at the break, their defense was the finishing touch despite their 52.6 percent overall shooting. Their 26.1 percent shooting in the fourth quarter was a shade better than New Orleans' 25 percent, and 14 of their 37 rebounds came in the final quarter.
"I'm sure there was some potato-chip eating yesterday (during the Super Bowl)," Brooks said of both teams' players. "We didn't have the offensive energy, but the defense was there. ... I think when you hold teams to 20 and under in a quarter, the effort on the defensive end is there."
Mike Bibby was there before anyone, shooting on his home floor just after 4 p.m. in an attempt to refine his shot after he was a combined 12 for 46 in the previous three games. They fell then and again later, when he hit six of his first seven attempts as the Kings led 40-24 after the first quarter. Bibby finished with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
"Mike has been having a difficult time making shots, but he's fighting," Artest said. "He's not giving up, so that gives me confidence to go out there and play also. ... He was in a nice rhythm today, and it was good to see him out there early."
Rhythm has been an everyday occurrence for Artest, who had 21 points, a career-high-tying nine assists, five steals and six rebounds. In the last five games, he has hit 42 of 77 shots (54.5 percent).
The Kings downed the Hornets for the 11th consecutive time at home, this after their victory over Denver was the 20th in a row over the Nuggets at Arco.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Kings' winning streak is at three
Scott Brooks goes 2-0 in his stint as acting coach, and playoff talk resurfaces.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:41 am PST Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Scott Brooks smiled as Ron Artest walked to the free-throw line late in the fourth quarter. On the verge of going undefeated in his two-game stint as stand-in Kings coach, Brooks -- who had seen his team's 16-point third-quarter lead cut to three with 50 seconds left -- looked toward the Arco Arena fans and pondered what was about to come.
"It's never easy," Brooks said.
As Brooks would later say, the statement was true for the moment but more so for his life as a whole. And that much he has in common with these Kings, who have perfected nothing if not hardship.
But one of Artest's free throws went in, Kevin Martin followed with two more, and suddenly, the Kings were the team that finishes in the clutch. Their 105-99 victory over New Orleans on Monday night was their third in a row, with the outcome in the balance late in each game of the streak. The added bonus was in the opponents, as Minnesota, Denver and the Hornets qualify as contenders for the eighth spot that now is within three games of the Kings' reach.
"When we beat Minnesota, we realized how close we were to the eighth spot, that we weren't out of it," Kings swingman John Salmons said. "It seemed like the way the season was going that we were out of the playoffs, but I think once we realized we still could make it, we got a new energy around here."
And a new shot blocker.
Because rarities were in order, that was Brad Miller blocking Chris Paul's attempt with 19 seconds left, when the Hornets' point guard blew by Salmons, only to find the 7-footer jumping and swatting away his floater. For an encore, Miller followed the ball as it bounced to Devin Brown and denied his putback attempt with 16 seconds left.
"We are not a shot-blocking team, so that was very pleasing to the eye," Brooks said. "We take charges. That's what we call our shot blocks. Brad is a presence down there. He's a big body. He can block a few shots."
After the Kings scored 40 first-quarter points, tied a season high with 26 baskets in the first half and led 63-50 at the break, their defense was the finishing touch despite their 52.6 percent overall shooting. Their 26.1 percent shooting in the fourth quarter was a shade better than New Orleans' 25 percent, and 14 of their 37 rebounds came in the final quarter.
"I'm sure there was some potato-chip eating yesterday (during the Super Bowl)," Brooks said of both teams' players. "We didn't have the offensive energy, but the defense was there. ... I think when you hold teams to 20 and under in a quarter, the effort on the defensive end is there."
Mike Bibby was there before anyone, shooting on his home floor just after 4 p.m. in an attempt to refine his shot after he was a combined 12 for 46 in the previous three games. They fell then and again later, when he hit six of his first seven attempts as the Kings led 40-24 after the first quarter. Bibby finished with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
"Mike has been having a difficult time making shots, but he's fighting," Artest said. "He's not giving up, so that gives me confidence to go out there and play also. ... He was in a nice rhythm today, and it was good to see him out there early."
Rhythm has been an everyday occurrence for Artest, who had 21 points, a career-high-tying nine assists, five steals and six rebounds. In the last five games, he has hit 42 of 77 shots (54.5 percent).
The Kings downed the Hornets for the 11th consecutive time at home, this after their victory over Denver was the 20th in a row over the Nuggets at Arco.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
