http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/87778.html
Orlando's Nelson has Magic moment
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:50 am PST Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Call it the back-to-back backbreaker.
As if the conventional kind isn't headache enough for the Kings, they've mastered the heartbreak variety now as well. In the third game of a four-game stretch that includes the recent back-to-back games at Dallas and San Antonio and was followed by Monday night's Orlando matchup and tonight's game in Phoenix, the Kings came up one play short again. Magic point guard Jameer Nelson's game-winning three-pointer was the only obstacle between them and an upset of the current Beasts of the East, as the Magic won 92-89 at Arco Arena.
With the game tied at 89 and 19.2 seconds remaining, Nelson dribbled atop the key until the waning moments, then came off a screen with just enough space to let his 26-footer go. Kings point guard Mike Bibby lunged at the attempt, but came up empty as Nelson's game winner fell true and through. The Kings had less than two seconds to counter, but a 30-foot attempt from Bibby barely touched the rim.
"I went under (the screen), because the scheme and the way we play on (defense), I went under," said Bibby, who had a team-high 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting. "He hit a tough shot. It was far. It was a tough shot."
It was the Kings' third consecutive loss, this one following Saturday night's 100-98 defeat at San Antonio. But more than that, it was yet another almost-win against a playoff-caliber team, this one coming without small forward Ron Artest for the second consecutive game.
The Kings are 2-6 against teams that currently have a .500 or better record, not a good trend to continue in the Western Conference playoff race that will surely be tight until the end. They have repeatedly showed signs of being able to keep pace with some of the best, never reflected more than in their first three-game losing streak of the season from Nov. 16 to Nov. 22. They stayed with San Antonio and Utah, and showed signs of a possible comeback against Golden State.
It was the same story, of course, against the Spurs on Saturday before the latest example.
"In every game, we've just got to get one more loose ball, take a charge, just do the little things," said Kings swingman John Salmons, who had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists against the Magic. "When we stop taking the little things for granted, we'll start winning those games."
This time, Kings center Brad Miller had his share, including a turnover and two missed three-pointers in the final 3:11. The Kings shot just 39.5 percent (30 of 76), the third time this season they'd been under 40 percent and the first time since Nov. 3.
They were just 3 of 16 from three-point range, with shooting guard Kevin Martin hitting just 1 of 5 on his 16-point night. The Magic, however, shot 52.9 percent (39 of 70), the highest mark for a Kings opponent in the last six games. It was the first time since Dec. 19, 1993, the Magic had won at Arco Arena, breaking an 11-game losing streak.
"Thirteen years is a long time," Magic coach Brian Hill said. "Dwight Howard wasn't even born yet."
Hill is a few years off, but the Magic center flashed his imposing game for the Kings crowd four days before his 21st birthday. And he was the reason for much of the accuracy. The Kings held Howard to nine shots, executing their plan to limit his attempts. But he converted seven of them, all while grabbing 16 rebounds. Nelson and former Kings forward Hedo Turkoglu had 14 points apiece for the Magic.
"He's a manchild," Kings center Brad Miller said of Howard. "He's one of the few people who, if I had to start a franchise, I'd start with him. ... He could've easily had his fourth 20 (point), 20 (rebound) game of the year."
Artest, who spent nearly three weeks trying to play through his lower-back pain, is now taking the rest route. He won't likely play in Phoenix today.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
Orlando's Nelson has Magic moment
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 6:50 am PST Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
Call it the back-to-back backbreaker.
As if the conventional kind isn't headache enough for the Kings, they've mastered the heartbreak variety now as well. In the third game of a four-game stretch that includes the recent back-to-back games at Dallas and San Antonio and was followed by Monday night's Orlando matchup and tonight's game in Phoenix, the Kings came up one play short again. Magic point guard Jameer Nelson's game-winning three-pointer was the only obstacle between them and an upset of the current Beasts of the East, as the Magic won 92-89 at Arco Arena.
With the game tied at 89 and 19.2 seconds remaining, Nelson dribbled atop the key until the waning moments, then came off a screen with just enough space to let his 26-footer go. Kings point guard Mike Bibby lunged at the attempt, but came up empty as Nelson's game winner fell true and through. The Kings had less than two seconds to counter, but a 30-foot attempt from Bibby barely touched the rim.
"I went under (the screen), because the scheme and the way we play on (defense), I went under," said Bibby, who had a team-high 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting. "He hit a tough shot. It was far. It was a tough shot."
It was the Kings' third consecutive loss, this one following Saturday night's 100-98 defeat at San Antonio. But more than that, it was yet another almost-win against a playoff-caliber team, this one coming without small forward Ron Artest for the second consecutive game.
The Kings are 2-6 against teams that currently have a .500 or better record, not a good trend to continue in the Western Conference playoff race that will surely be tight until the end. They have repeatedly showed signs of being able to keep pace with some of the best, never reflected more than in their first three-game losing streak of the season from Nov. 16 to Nov. 22. They stayed with San Antonio and Utah, and showed signs of a possible comeback against Golden State.
It was the same story, of course, against the Spurs on Saturday before the latest example.
"In every game, we've just got to get one more loose ball, take a charge, just do the little things," said Kings swingman John Salmons, who had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists against the Magic. "When we stop taking the little things for granted, we'll start winning those games."
This time, Kings center Brad Miller had his share, including a turnover and two missed three-pointers in the final 3:11. The Kings shot just 39.5 percent (30 of 76), the third time this season they'd been under 40 percent and the first time since Nov. 3.
They were just 3 of 16 from three-point range, with shooting guard Kevin Martin hitting just 1 of 5 on his 16-point night. The Magic, however, shot 52.9 percent (39 of 70), the highest mark for a Kings opponent in the last six games. It was the first time since Dec. 19, 1993, the Magic had won at Arco Arena, breaking an 11-game losing streak.
"Thirteen years is a long time," Magic coach Brian Hill said. "Dwight Howard wasn't even born yet."
Hill is a few years off, but the Magic center flashed his imposing game for the Kings crowd four days before his 21st birthday. And he was the reason for much of the accuracy. The Kings held Howard to nine shots, executing their plan to limit his attempts. But he converted seven of them, all while grabbing 16 rebounds. Nelson and former Kings forward Hedo Turkoglu had 14 points apiece for the Magic.
"He's a manchild," Kings center Brad Miller said of Howard. "He's one of the few people who, if I had to start a franchise, I'd start with him. ... He could've easily had his fourth 20 (point), 20 (rebound) game of the year."
Artest, who spent nearly three weeks trying to play through his lower-back pain, is now taking the rest route. He won't likely play in Phoenix today.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@ sacbee.com.
