Kings-Bulls PBP for Feb. 8

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Greetings, fellow Kings fans!

We finally have rain here in the forest. Buckets of rain. And I, for one, am extremely glad to see it. The idea of having fire season declared the first day of February was really scary; that's behind us now, however, and hopefully we'll catch up with the rain we've missed...

I've got the requisite Gevalia French Vanilla coffee going and a nice fire in the woodstove. I'm actually glad tonight's game is the second half of the TNT double-header because SURVIVOR: Fiji Islands starts tonight. I'm not going to skip any of the PBP, however...

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Okay, here's what the Sam Amick had to say in this morning's Bee about tonight's matchup:

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/120432.html

Tonight's game

Chicago (28-21) at Kings (20-26)

KINGS OUTLOOK - The vibe has taken a turn for the better, as the prospect of the playoffs seems real again. For how long has yet to be determined, but real progress can be achieved should the Kings beat Chicago and thereby compile a four-game winning streak for just the second time this season. If there's a telling statistical read on the season, it's that the Kings have won three consecutive games twice before. Both instances came in the opening month, as the Kings went 8-5. Chicago, however, is more formidable than the first three victims of this mini-run (Minnesota, Denver and New Orleans).

BULLS OUTLOOK - Chicago has won eight of 12 games but is 0-1 since losing Andres Nocioni. The reserve forward, who is averaging 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds, sat out Monday's 100-95 road loss to Utah with inflammation in his right foot and is expected to be out least a few more days. Since starting the season 3-9, the Bulls are 25-12. No win was more impressive than the 96-85 victory over Dallas on Jan. 25, ending the Mavericks' 13-game winning streak.

KEY MATCHUP - Ron Artest vs. Luol Deng - Artest has a renewed vigor on the defensive end, and he hasn't forgotten the last time he faced Deng. In the Kings' Nov. 3 win in Chicago, Deng had a then-season-high 29 points on 12-for-21 shooting. But Artest feels good after holding Denver's Carmelo Anthony to 7-for-25 shooting Saturday.

PROBABLE STARTING FIVE

Kings - Bibby, Martin, Artest, Thomas, Miller

Bulls - Hinrich, Gordon, Deng, Brown, Wallace

I think the most interesting matchup is going to be Musselman vs. the Kings. Will they show the same kind of focus and intensity with him back on the bench as they did the last two games with Scott Brooks?

I love this team but I'm not anywhere near convinced that what we need is to be just good enough to squeak into the playoffs, especially with the problems the current group of players seems to have. I have never been this conflicted about rooting for the Kings. I will ALWAYS root for the players but this is not a team that will ever get past the real powerhouses of the league for more than one lucky game.

But our job is to root for them and root for them I will. And if they lose, I'm consoled by the notion of a better slot for draft day 2007.

 

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Okay, what's not to like? Webber did great, Kobe stunk and the Pistons spanked the Lakers! Nice start to a TNT double-header.

 

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Ready for the tip...

Tip to KT, who falls out of bounds while trying to save the ball. Bulls possession...

Brown for two.

2-0 CHI

Bibby to Martin, who turns the corner and draws the foul from Hinrich. Kevin at the line.

Misses first; makes second.

2-1 CHI

Musselman looking his usual dour self...

Bulls miss, rebound oob off Kings. Bulls ball.

 

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Gordon cuts inside, falls down, ball knocked oob by Martin. STill Bulls. Deng from the corner for two.

4-1 CHI

Kings possession goes oob, Martin tries to save it as he's falling oob but Bulls catch it.

Miss, Kings rebound.

Kings turnover; Bulls ball.

Hinrich for two.

6-1 Chi

Oh look! It's the old Kings; the one we knew and loved right up until two games ago...

/sarcasm

Kings miss; Chi ball.

Wallace for two.

8-1 Chi

 

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Miller jumper miss; ball batted oob. Chi ball.

Offensive foul called on Ben Gordon. Kings ball.

9;20 left

Miller from the side doesn't go; Bulls board.

Brown miss off the glass; Bibby board.

Defensive three second violation. Bibby to the line.

Freebie good.

8-2 Chi

Kings miss; Chi board.

Chi miss; Miller board.

 

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Martin from the corner for three. That should get him closer to being benched.



8-5 Chi

Wallace from the post for two.

10-5 Chi

7;42 left

Good ball movement by the Kings but Artest shot doesn't go; Wallace board.

Gordon inadvertently poked in the eye. Chicago calls time out...and commercial.

7;26 left

 

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I have to apologize. I'm detecting a note of hostility in my comments. I apologize... I'll try to do better.

 

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Chicago ball. Gordon okay; he was hit by Gordon's elbow, BTW. Chi miss; second chance no good. Kings board.

Miller miss; Chicago board.

6;55 left

Wallace tries to get around Miller, shot doesn't go and Brad comes down with the ball.

Martin for the mid-range jumper.

10-7 Chi

Ball oob because of Kings double-team. Still Chicago ball.

Miss; second chance shot by Deng good.

12-7 Chi

Artest inside for the one-handed dunk.

12-9 Chi

 

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Hinrich miss; KT board.

Miller bounce pass to cutting Martin for two more.

12-11 Chi

5;07 left

Brown miss; Artest board.

Artest drives inside and gets two more, giving the Kings their first lead.

13-12 KINGS

Hinrich for two.

14-13 Chi

 

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KT tries to work inside, hook is totally ineffective. Bulls board.

Chicago miss; Kings ball.

Good ball movement, but Miller jumper doesn't go. Bulls ball.

Gordon miss; KT board.

3;37 left

Miller out, Corliss in.

Allen in for Wallace, with 1PF.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!!!!

16-14 KINGS

 

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Duhon slashes inside, smothered by Kings, ball knocked oob. Still Chicago ball.

Allen miss; Artest called for loose ball foul. Still Chicago ball.

Bulls miss; Artest board.

Bibby miss; Corliss rebound, he's fouled.

2;50 left

Time out and commercial.

 

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Hinrich for two and the +1 from Artest.

Bonus good.

17-16 Chi

SAR in for KT.

SAR miss inside, Allen board.

Deng for two.

19-16 Chi

2;01 left

 

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Martin for long two.

19-18 Chi

Chicago ball, loose ball foul on SAR. Still Chicago ball.

Duhon pass knocked oob by Salmons, who is in for Bibby. Still Bulls ball. Two more by Hinrich.

21-18 Chi

Martin from behind Artest screen barely misses; Sweeney board.

Duhon with the ball, knocked oob again. This time Kings get it.

49 seconds left.

 

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Corliss miss, SAR with the rebound. He drags his pivot foot and is called for traveling. Chicago ball.

30 seconds left.

Hinrich puts the pedal down and gets all the way inside for two.

23-18 Chi

Kings ball. Non-shooting foul. Still Kings ball.

Artest drives inside, layup at the buzzer won't fall.

23-18 Chicago

 

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SAR, Artest, Garcia, Salmons and Corliss on the court for the Kings.

Non-shooting foul on Chicago, still Kings ball.

Cisco from the corner for three.

23-21 Chicago

Gordon long three doesn't go; Artest called for loose ball foul. Chicago gets the ball right back.

Sweetney for two.

25-21 Chicago

Salmons with the ball, Griffin called for foul away from the ball. Still Kings ball.

 

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Salmons inside, soft teardrop doesn't go. Chicago board.

Sweetney miss but Allen gets the second-chance bucket.

27-21 Chicago

Kings ball. Broadcasters signing Martin's praises while we watch Kevin stagnate on the bench.

Griffin with another foul... still non-shooting. Still Kings ball.

Corliss inside, floater doesn't go but Corliss heads to the line on foul by Sweetney.

9;50 left

 

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Corliss one of two.

27-22 Chicago

Deng miss; Garcia board.

Corliss inside for two.

27-24 Chicago

Gordon miss; Allen putback good.

29-24 Chicago

Turnover by the Kings; Gordon forward pass to Deng, miss. Kings ball.

Salmons for two.

29-26 Chicago

They're reporting Salmons was in an accident on his way to Arco this afternoon. Said his neck was a little banged up...

Time out and commercial.

 

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24-second violation on the Bulls.

Cheryl Miller talking to Gavin, who is saying the Kings have a new coach and it takes a while for everything to gel... blah, blah, blah. Oops, there goes that cynicism again.

Kings ball.

Kings miss; Bulls ball.

Ball oob; Kings to inbound.

Salmons, Miller, Corliss, Garcia and Artest on the court for the Kings.

Miller pass intended for Martin knocked oob.

Sweetney fights inside, gets the bucket over Miller.

31-26 Chicago

Kings turnover, breakaway by Deng for two.

33-26 Chi

 

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Salmons inside, shot blocked by Wallace.

Chicago ball.

Gordon drives inside, Garcia called for shoving foul. Still Bulls ball.

Gordon miss; rebound bobbgled by Martin. Second-chance miss; Miller board.

6;03 left

Miller inside for two.

33-28 Chi

Time out and commercial...

 

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Bulls turnover; Kings ball.

Foul on Wallace, non-shooting. Still Kings ball.

Bibby pullup jumper for two.

33-30 Chicago

Bulls miss; Corliss board.

Bibby, Martin, ARtest, Miller and Corliss on the court.

Bibby shot knocked away by Duhon. Chicago ball.

Deng to the line on foul by Miller.

4;36 left

 

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Misses both. Miller with the board.

Martin brings it up the court, gets to the perimeter and is fouled. Kevin to the line.

Misses first; make second.

33-31 Chi

 

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Chicago turnover; Kings ball.

Miller alley to Martin oop!!!

33-33

3;50 left

Brown miss; Kings board.

Bibby feed to Martin just a little off, oop doesn't go. Chicago ball. Turnover.

Kings ball.

Corliss passes inside to ARtest, but it's beyond his reach. Bulls ball.

3;21 left

 

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Chicago not able to get through the zone, pass knocked away and into Corliss' hands.

Corliss returns the favor and dishes to Miller for two and the +1.

bonus no good.

35-33 KINGS

Chicago ball.

Chicago bounce pass bounces right out of bounds...

Kings ball.

2;43 left

Time out and commercial.

 

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KT back in for Corliss.

Bibby off Miller screen misses; Chicago board.

Doug points out the Kings have gone away from the zone, that was working so well, and gone back to man-to-man.

Bulls miss; Kings board. Pass ahead to waiting Artest for two.

37-33 KINGS

Duhon doesn't go. Brown rebound picked off by Martin. To Bibby, to Artest - who is called for offensive foul.

Chicago ball.

Chicago misses first and second, and knocks ball oob.

Kings ball.

1;04 left

 

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Martin to Miller, to Bibby. Pullup jumper from top of key doesn't go. Bulls board.

Gordon splits defense, shot doesn't go. Miller set to get the board but it appears KT knocked it out of his hands. Bulls pick it up and get two.

37-35 KINGS

Kings miss; Chicago ball.

13.1 seconds left.

Bulls call time out.

 

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Good defense by the Kings. Duhon at the buzzer doesn't go.

End of the first half!

Attention Kings; DON'T DRINK THE KOOL-AID!!!

 

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First half impressions:

1. Eric Musselman's game face is capable of scaring small children.

2. The energy the Kings had during the two-game hiatus by Musselman has departed, possibly sucked out of them by some kind of weird vortex-thingy generated by Musselman himself without his knowledge.

3. Doug Collins and Kevin Harlan seem to appreciate Kevin Martin more than the Kings' head coach.

4. Charles Barkley is tolerable only in very small doses.

5. The All-star jackets the Maloofs gave to Harlan and Collins are on a par, style-wise, with the gold lamé Kings jerseys and the ridiculous giant 6.

6. Survivor: Fiji Islands has the potential to be very interesting.

 

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Kings start off the third quarter with a Miller to Artest bucket.

39-35 KINGS

Brown called for offensive foul; Kings ball again.

ANOTHER Miller bounce-pass to Artest for two more.

41-35 KINGS

Gordon from the side for two.

41-37 KINGS

bibby to Miller to Artest, jumper misses; Chicago board.

Bulls miss; KT board.

10;27 left

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

44-37 KINGS

 

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Gordon miss; KT board.

Bibby hit hard in the ribs as he's in the air shooting. Hit by Gordon. Mike trying to walk it off...heading to the line.

Makes first; makes second.

46-37 KINGS

Hinrich passes up jumper and kicks to Deng, who misses. Kings board.

Martin on the turnaround doesn't go, Bulls ball but Martin in the right place to get it back when Chicago gets sloppy.

Artest jumper doesn't go. Chicago board.

9;07 left

Hinrich miss again; Artest board.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!

49-37 KINGS

Chicago calls time out ... and commercial.

 

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8;46 left in the third quarter

Chicago ball.

Hinrich beats the defense and gets inside for two.

49-39 KINGS

Martin from the side for long two on good ball movement by the Kings.

51-39 KINGS

Hinrich three doesn't go, Kings ball.

Bibby for two and the +1 on another foul by Hinrich.

bonus good.

54-39 KINGS