Kings-Blazers PBP for Jan. 12

[VF21]

Greetings, fellow discouraged Kings fans.

The fact we're still here means we're ready for some kind of 12-step program. But here we are... and there they are in Portland, getting ready for what I hope will be a better outcome than their last three outings.

Anyway, here's what Sam Amick had to say about tonight's matchup (excerpted from his Kings Notes posted in a separate thread):

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/106867.html

Kings (14-18) at Portland (14-23)

KINGS OUTLOOK - Mike Bibby is shooting like Mike Bibby again. Brad Miller is making shots and finding cutters on passes. Ron Artest isn't letting shots go in rapid fire as he was early this season, and Kevin Martin remains his efficient self. So what's the problem? A humming Kings offense is being negated by atrocious defense that has allowed an average of 117 points in the past three games and 105.1 in the past nine games. Whether it's the knee problem or other influences, Artest isn't playing Artest defense, and it remains a roster with few standout defenders beyond swingman John Salmons.

TRAIL BLAZERS OUTLOOK - For a short time, the Blazers had the look of a team on the rise. They won six of eight games in a stretch that ended Dec. 20, only to drop nine of their past 11 in a return to last season's form. Still, they're only a victory behind last season's pace after 37 games. But the youthful and athletic group continues to struggle scoring, save for the 110 points against the Kings in an overtime victory Saturday. They are ranked 28th in scoring with an average of 92 points per game, the most recent loss a 99-74 drubbing by Dallas on Wednesday.

KEY MATCHUP - Ron Artest vs. Brandon Roy - Artest vs. LeBron James was the last key matchup, but the Kings small forward isn't alone in losing that battle. Roy, however, had much success (23 points) against Artest in the last meeting, though Artest claimed pride over the fact the rookie scored mostly on jump shots rather than drives.

PROBABLE STARTERS

Kings - Bibby, Martin, Artest, Thomas, Miller

Trail Blazers - Jack, Roy, Udoka, Randolph, Przybilla

I'll be honest.

I don't have much confidence that the Kings will go out and play two halves of consistent basketball. The only hope for us is if the Kings do NOT go into the locker room at half-time. They should remain resolute on the bench and not partake of the Prozac kool-aid.

I hope to be home from work in time for the start of the game.

Once, now and forever...GO KINGS!!!

 

[VF21]

Well, I'm home...where the temperature on my front porch is 24 degrees. I've got a fire started in the woodstove and I've just made a nice pot of coffee. It's really BRISK up here.

 

[VF21]

Grant is interviewing Justin, who says it really did him a lot of good to spend some time in the D-league. He said he learned a lot about setting screens, playing hard the entire time you're on the court, etc.

I have a good feeling about this kid.

 

[VF21]

Jarrett Jack will not play. He was in an auto accident leaving practice this morning and has a concussion... I wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[VF21]

Dickau starting for Jack.

Tip to PTB. Offensive foul.

Kings ball. Offensive foul...

Dickau for two.

2-0 PTB

Kings miss; PTB board. Another offensive foul - another hit to the mouth on Brad. Kings ball.

Miller for two.

2-2

 

[VF21]

SAR started at the 4, BTW.

another whistle - non-shooting foul on SAR. Still PTB ball.

Zach misses, ball oob. Kings ball.

10;25 left

Good ball movement by the Kings, dish in to SAR who drives inside, beating Pryz off the dribble, takes the contact from Roy, gets the bucket and goes to the line for the bonus.

Freebie good.

5-2 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Zach jumper for two.

5-4 KINGS

Kings playing much more focused defense so far.

Kings ball. 3-second violation as Bibby bobbles the ball slightly. PTB ball.

ANOTHER offensive foul - this time on Dickau. Kings ball.

9;15 left

SAR from the corner for two.

7-4 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Przybilla to the line on foul by Miller.

8;49 left

One of two.

7-5 KINGS

Bibby for two and the +1.

10-5 KINGS

PTB ball. ANOTHER offensive foul - Roy with 2PF. Kings ball.

Artest pass cross court intended for Martin but goes oob. PTB ball.

Roy out.

 

[VF21]

Martin for two.

Zach for two.

12-7 KINGS

Kings ball. Another whistle. Dickau called for another foul. Sergio R. in for Dickau. Still Kings ball.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!

15-7 KINGS

6;14 left

Time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

PTB ball. Udoka miss; Martin board.

Miller dish inside to Martin, who is hammered but no call. PTB ball.

Udoka for two.

15-9 KINGS

5;30 left

Miller inside to ARtest, back outside to Martin who tries to cut inside. Nowhere to go. Turnover.

PTB ball. Miss; Miller board.

SAR inside, shot blocked by Przy. PTB ball.

Udoka inside, gets the bucket and +1 on foul by Artest. 2PF.

Artest out, Salmons in.

 

[VF21]

Udoka misses the freebie.

15-11 KINGS

Martin for long two.

17-11 KINGS

Bibby with the deflection, caught by Miller. Salmons inside, shot blocked by Udoka. PTB ball.

Webster called for offensive foul. PTB crowd - what there is of them - are NOT happy but call stands.

KIngs ball.

3;52 left

Bibby for two after Rodrigues misses a steal attempt.

19-11 KINGS

 

[VF21]

PTB ball. Oob off PTB. Kings ball.

Bibby miss, but he runs down his own rebound. Over to Martin, and then back to Mike.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!

22-11 KINGS

PTB shot, deflected oob off Kings.

Time out and commercial.

2;47 left

 

[VF21]

Sergio for two.

KT in for SAR.

Kings miss; PTB ball.

PTB miss; Martin board.

Martin scoop short; PTB ball.

Dixon for two.

22-15 KINGS

1;51 left

 

[VF21]

Kings ball.

PTB non-shooting foul. Still Kings ball.

Douby in for Bibby.

Ball deflected oob. Still Kings ball.

1;36 left

KT and Zach need a warning about trying a little too hard to gain position...

Martin inbounds to Miller. Back to Martin, who misses the fallaway. PTB board.

PTB miss; Salmons board.

Douby back to Salmons, who goes off the dribble and draws the foul from Webster.

53.3 seconds left

Makes first; and second.

24-15 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Zach airball. Martin grabs it but there's a late whistle on KT, sending Zach to the line.

Makes first; misses second. PTB grabs the board.

PTB miss; Salmons board.

Kings shot blocked by PTB, Zach with the ball. Shot at the buzzer doesn't go.

End of the first quarter.

24-16 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Corliss in for Miller.

Kings ball to start the second.

Martin cross court pass to Douby, who drives inside but KT is called for setting an illegal screen. PTB ball.

11;34 left

Rodriques layup.

24-18 KINGS

Martin to the line on foul by Dixon.

Misses first; makes second.

25-18 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Offensive foul on Magloire. Kings ball.

Douby bounce pass intended for Martin goes off his foot and oob. PTB ball.

Sergio for two.

25-20 KINGS

10;35 left

Salmons inside for two.

27-20 KINGS

PTB ball. Foul called first on Martin and then Douby. Garcia in for somebody.

PTB for two.

27-22 KINGS

Bibby back in for Douby, Garcia in for Martin.

Salmons called for offensive foul.

PTB ball.

 

[VF21]

PTB miss. KT board.

Bad pass by the Kings gives it right back to PTB.

PTB airball, Bibby going for it and Zach strong-arms it away. Still PTB ball. Whistle. ... This time it's a clock problem.

9;14 left

Dixon turnaround is good.

27-24 KINGS

Bibby, Salmons, Garcia, KT and Corliss on the court.

Garcia for two after PTB called for goal-tending.

29-24 KINGS

Oh, good grief. The rule is NO timeout after a goal-tend but one of the officials allowed it, the dance team took the court, and then the senior official changed his mind. They have to figure out what the clock should be set at, restore original lineups AND get the dancers off the court.

What a joke.

 

[VF21]

PTB ball.

Oh look. Another whistle! What a surprise.

Now they do call the time out.

This game is horrible for a wide variety of reasons but among them has to be the whistle-happy officiating. Whatever flow might have been established has been completely and totally dsirupted - much like damming a river.

Jerry and Grant discussing Webber's status...

 

[VF21]

PTB to inbound. They step oob. Kings ball.

8;01 left

KT drives inside, gets fouled but doesn't shoot. Tries to pass. Non-shooting foul called on PTB. Still Kings ball.

Corliss miss. Udoka board.

S-Rod called for offensive foul. Kings ball.

Rod out; Roy in.

7;33 left

Corliss miss; tip-in miss. PTB board.

Magloire miss; Corliss rebounds but it's taken away by Udoka.

Dixon for two.

29-26 KINGS

Bibby fouled by Dixon. 3 team fouls on PTB> Still Kings ball.

Corliss for long two.

31-26 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Dixon loses the ball, KIngs find it. Forward pass to Martin. Give to Corliss for two more.

33-26 KINGS

5;59 left

Time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

PTB ball. Dixon in and out; Garcia chases down the rebound.

Miller dishes inside to Corliss who gets two high off the glass.

35-26 KINGS

5;21 left

Zach to the line on foul by Corliss.

Makes first; and second.

35-28 KINGS

Bibby miss; Magloire board.

Nice ball movement by PTB; Magloire for two.

35-30 KINGS

Garcia inside, ball stripped by Udoka. PTB ball.

MIss; Kings ball.

Miss; PTB ball.

Zach for two.

35-32 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Corliss too hard off the glass; PTB board.

Magloire to the line on foul by Corliss. Corliss out, SAR in.

3;21 left

PTB pass deflected oob by Martin. Still PTB ball.

PTB miss off the glass; Bibby board.

Kings for two.

37-32 KINGS

KIngs shot blocked. PTB ball.

2;31 left

Time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

PTB ball.

Webster to the line.

One of two.

37-33 KINGS

Kings ball.

Miller pass inside is too hard and it goes off SAR's fingers. Luckily, PTB steps oob and Kings retain possession.

Bibby from the corner doesn't go.

37-33 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Zach jumper is good.

37-35 KINGS

Artest still rotting on the bench with two fouls.

Miller give and go to Martin, who gets the bucket and the +1.

Bonus good.

40-35 KINGS

PTB ball. Steal by Bibby.

Kings miss; Zach board.

Dickau miss; Udoka board.

 

[VF21]

Dickau for two and the +1 on foul by Bibby.

40-38 KINGS

Bibby inside, fouled hard but no call. PTB ball.

Roy for two.

40-40

24 seconds left

Martin spins, gets off-balance and is called for traveling.

14 turnovers for the Kings.

PTB ball.

4.4 seconds

 

[VF21]

20 second time out.

PTB inbounds. Dickau to Roy for two off the glass at the buzzer.

42-40 PTB

...this just sucks...

VF21 grabs soapbox...

This concept by Musselman that immediately sends someone to the bench when they get two fouls is LAME!!! When Martin was mistakenly called for his second, he immediately turned and walked towards the bench, knowing he was gonna be pulled. Players cannot always control what will and won't be called a foul; an arbitrary rule like that might be great on paper but it SUCKS big time in a real game.

/end rant.

 

[VF21]

Oops. Sorry. We pick up the game with Martin making a jumper to tie the game at 44-44.

PTB ball. Offensive foul called on Przybilla. Kings ball.

Martin to Miller, whose bounce pass to SAR is deflected by Przy. PTB ball.

Zach doubled by Artest and Miller, miss. Kings ball.

Another Kings turnover, and Roy gets two.

46-44 PTB

MARTIN FOR THREE!!!!!!!!!

47-46 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Roy from the corner for three.

49-47 PTB

SAR jumper in and out.

PTB ball.

Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR and Miller for the Kings.

Zach inside for two more.

51-47 PTB

Artest jumper off the rim; Przy board.

Dickau miss; Martin board.

ARTEST FOR THREE!!!

51-50 PTB

 

[VF21]

Another offensive foul on PTB.

Kings ball.

Artest dish to Miller, who tries to go inside, looks to draw the foul and doesn't get it. Gets his own rebound and the bucket.

52-51 KINGS

Udoka miss; Martin board.

6;05 left

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!

55-51 KINGS

Time out and commercial.