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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11728626p-12616639c.html
Bench mobbed
Minnesota's reserves combine for 22 points during the fourth quarter and defeat the Kings.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, December 11, 2004
MINNEAPOLIS - The concept usually adopted by NBA road teams is to be in position to win in the fourth quarter.
The Kings did so Friday night but were overwhelmed by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the final period for the second time in as many meetings this season en route to a 113-105 loss before a howling Target Center crowd of 19,101.
The defeat ended the Kings' five-game winning streak, which was the NBA's longest at the start of the night. The Kings (13-6) have lost only twice in the past 30 days, and each defeat has been to the Timberwolves (13-6).
The Kings didn't have an answer for the versatile and talented Kevin Garnett. He finished with game-high statistics of 35 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in 44 minutes. Garnett was particularly effective during the fourth quarter when the Timberwolves outscored the Kings 37-23.
Yet Garnett's performance looked at one point as if it might go to waste because the Kings led throughout most of the game after starting out with a 23-10 lead late in the first quarter. But with the game on the line, Minnesota's bench was more than the Kings could handle.
Led by Eddie Griffin and Fred Hoiberg, Minnesota coach Flip Saunders' reserves scored 22 points during the pivotal fourth quarter as Garnett handed out five assists.
Kings coach Rick Adelman knew his team had faltered with the game on the line.
"We didn't do what we needed to do in the last six, seven minutes," said Adelman, whose team shot 42.1 percent in the fourth while Minnesota shot 65 percent and made 3 of 5 from three-point range. The T-wolves were 2 of 11 from that distance during the first three quarters.
"They executed well, we left (Fred) Hoiberg open and gave him open threes, and he knocked them down," Adelman added. "Then we didn't execute offensively."
Chris Webber, who led the Kings with 25 points on 11 of 27 field-goal shooting, had just been re-inserted into the contest seconds before he stroked a 20-footer to give the Kings a 97-95 lead with 6:10 remaining.
However, that was the Kings' final lead. On the nest possession, Hoiberg, the NBA's leading three-point shooter at 54.1 percent entering the game, somehow was alone in the right-hand corner. Garnett had the ball on the other side of the floor and didn't see Hoiberg at first before firing a pass through the Kings' defense for a wide-open three.
"Really, I wasn't open that long," said Hoiberg, who made all three of his three-point tries. "That probably was the hardest pass I've ever caught on a basketball court. I've caught some harder on a football field. But Peja (Stojakovic) only turned his head for a second. I think (Garnett's pass) might have grazed Stojakovic's hair. It was like John Elway."
Said Garnett: "I gave it my Torii Hunter from center field because I felt like I had to put a little something on it."
That gave Minnesota its first lead since 6-5 in the first quarter and started the T-wolves on a three-minute, 14-1 run. Adelman called a timeout and for a play that was supposed to end in a lob pass and dunk for Webber. But Webber fumbled the pass, which appeared slightly high but catchable.
After he missed the attempt, Webber fouled Minnesota's Trenton Hassell, then jumped onto the press table in a release of frustration.
"It was embarrassing, but I had to keep reminding myself that the leg is coming around," Webber said. "So I was just telling myself that and anybody else who happened to be listening." Bobby Jackson scored 19 points in 29 minutes and shot 4 of 7 on three-pointers. But on the Kings' next possession, he dribbled the ball off his leg and out of bounds. And the Kings never could stem the tide.
Bench mobbed
Minnesota's reserves combine for 22 points during the fourth quarter and defeat the Kings.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Saturday, December 11, 2004
MINNEAPOLIS - The concept usually adopted by NBA road teams is to be in position to win in the fourth quarter.
The Kings did so Friday night but were overwhelmed by the Minnesota Timberwolves during the final period for the second time in as many meetings this season en route to a 113-105 loss before a howling Target Center crowd of 19,101.
The defeat ended the Kings' five-game winning streak, which was the NBA's longest at the start of the night. The Kings (13-6) have lost only twice in the past 30 days, and each defeat has been to the Timberwolves (13-6).
The Kings didn't have an answer for the versatile and talented Kevin Garnett. He finished with game-high statistics of 35 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in 44 minutes. Garnett was particularly effective during the fourth quarter when the Timberwolves outscored the Kings 37-23.
Yet Garnett's performance looked at one point as if it might go to waste because the Kings led throughout most of the game after starting out with a 23-10 lead late in the first quarter. But with the game on the line, Minnesota's bench was more than the Kings could handle.
Led by Eddie Griffin and Fred Hoiberg, Minnesota coach Flip Saunders' reserves scored 22 points during the pivotal fourth quarter as Garnett handed out five assists.
Kings coach Rick Adelman knew his team had faltered with the game on the line.
"We didn't do what we needed to do in the last six, seven minutes," said Adelman, whose team shot 42.1 percent in the fourth while Minnesota shot 65 percent and made 3 of 5 from three-point range. The T-wolves were 2 of 11 from that distance during the first three quarters.
"They executed well, we left (Fred) Hoiberg open and gave him open threes, and he knocked them down," Adelman added. "Then we didn't execute offensively."
Chris Webber, who led the Kings with 25 points on 11 of 27 field-goal shooting, had just been re-inserted into the contest seconds before he stroked a 20-footer to give the Kings a 97-95 lead with 6:10 remaining.
However, that was the Kings' final lead. On the nest possession, Hoiberg, the NBA's leading three-point shooter at 54.1 percent entering the game, somehow was alone in the right-hand corner. Garnett had the ball on the other side of the floor and didn't see Hoiberg at first before firing a pass through the Kings' defense for a wide-open three.
"Really, I wasn't open that long," said Hoiberg, who made all three of his three-point tries. "That probably was the hardest pass I've ever caught on a basketball court. I've caught some harder on a football field. But Peja (Stojakovic) only turned his head for a second. I think (Garnett's pass) might have grazed Stojakovic's hair. It was like John Elway."
Said Garnett: "I gave it my Torii Hunter from center field because I felt like I had to put a little something on it."
That gave Minnesota its first lead since 6-5 in the first quarter and started the T-wolves on a three-minute, 14-1 run. Adelman called a timeout and for a play that was supposed to end in a lob pass and dunk for Webber. But Webber fumbled the pass, which appeared slightly high but catchable.
After he missed the attempt, Webber fouled Minnesota's Trenton Hassell, then jumped onto the press table in a release of frustration.
"It was embarrassing, but I had to keep reminding myself that the leg is coming around," Webber said. "So I was just telling myself that and anybody else who happened to be listening." Bobby Jackson scored 19 points in 29 minutes and shot 4 of 7 on three-pointers. But on the Kings' next possession, he dribbled the ball off his leg and out of bounds. And the Kings never could stem the tide.
