Kings-Mavericks PBP for April 4

[VF21]

Welcome, fellow Kings fans!

Well, once again the weather outside is cold, dreary and wet. This round of storms, at least, has a higher snow level so all big piles of white outside are turning quickly into big mounds of dirt-flavored snowcones. That means slush, icy cold slush...with mud underneath.

I have a good feeling about tonight's game, even if the Mavs are favored to win. Here's what the Bee has to say about tonight's matchup:

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports...15059037c.html
Kings (38-36) at Mavericks (55-19)
THE SKINNY
Site: American Airlines Center Tipoff: 5:30 p.m.
TV: Ch. 10
Radio: KHTK 1140, KAHI 950
Line: Mavericks by 6.
Kings update
Status: The Kings are rolling on the road - and this is no typo. It's no monster winning streak away from Arco Arena - three games - but it represents a season-high run. The Kings downed Utah, Portland and Golden State - hardly Detroit, San Antonio and Dallas - but will take any boost they can find to secure a playoff spot.

Trend: Balance remains the key, and now the Kings are as healthy as they have been all season. Shareef Abdur-Rahim is back to his old ways, Francisco García seems to be recovered from his ankle ailment, and Kevin Martin made his return from a thigh injury Sunday in the victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Injury report: None.

Mavericks
Status: They are again as good as any team in the NBA at home - 31-6, including 16-6 against the Western Conference. And Dallas showed it is beatable, losing three straight with a shortened bench caused by injuries before clobbering Denver on Sunday.

Trend: Dallas has become defensive this season under fiery coach Avery Johnson. In their victories, the Mavericks score an average of 101 points and allow 91. But when opponents manage 100 or more points, the Mavericks are 6-13, which brings Johnson's blood to a boil. Dirk Nowitzki has been superb this season, as has Jason Terry at point guard.

Injury report: Keith Van Horn, hand, out.

Best matchup: Bibby vs. Terry - Old college buddies go at it nine years after they steered Arizona to the NCAA championship. Bibby is the superior shooter, with Terry much quicker to the basket.
----------------------------------------------------
I've got the coffee brewing and will probably make a fresh pot right before tip-off. I've got shredded pork burrito fixin's for dinner and my favorite potato chips. And, after a short trip to town yesterday, I have Peanut M&M's for Easter to snack on in case I need a quick energy boost.

As always, piksi's game discussion thread is ongoing for you to post your comments, feelings, fears, joys, sorrows, Christmas wish lists, etc. And Mr. S£im's CHAT PARTY LIVE will be open at mIRC, server irc.bludgeon.org, channel #kingsfans.

Now I'm going to read the board, see if I can find my (in)famous toilet paper roll holder voodoo doll of Dirk Nowitzki and get ready for the game.

Remember, if you'd like to help contribute to defray some of the costs of keeping Kingsfans.com up and running as the #1 Sacramento Kings Online Community, please consider becoming a Contributing Member.

GO KINGS!!!

 

[hoopsfan]

Stay warm VF..and safe.

I'm flying out in the morning for a trip to my parents..I hate flying in the rain. It's crappy weather there too, but at least it's not icky, slushy "dirt-flavored" snowcones.

 

[BigWaxer]

I sure hope we don't get a patch of warm rain. Gonna be in trouble down here in the "FLATLANDS" if that happens.

A win tonight and I think we can about put a stamp on it. We need about 3-4 more wins to lock it up. I don't see NOK or Utah putting together a monster streak but crazier things have happened.

I am still not sold on Dallas, maybe my hatred towards them clouds the issue but I think they are a 2nd round maybe WCF and out team. Not good enough IMO to make it.

I would hate to see them win a ring modern day before us. Talk about scoreboard. I am moving to DALLAS when that happens!

OH YA (day off can actually watch a game)


GO KINGS!!!!!

 

[VF21]

Stay warm VF..and safe.

I'm flying out in the morning for a trip to my parents..I hate flying in the rain. It's crappy weather there too, but at least it's not icky, slushy "dirt-flavored" snowcones.

Have a great visit!

 

[VF21]

I sure hope we don't get a patch of warm rain. Gonna be in trouble down here in the "FLATLANDS" if that happens.

All I know is the rain is a welcome relief. I have used more firewood in the past month than I used ALL winter! It has been that cold up here...

I would hate to see them win a ring modern day before us. Talk about scoreboard. I am moving to DALLAS when that happens!

Erm, what? I happen to know you're a Cowboys fan...

 

[hoopsfan]

Thanks VF.

I'm taking my mom to the game at Staples on Sunday...gotta get those garlic fries!!

 

[BigWaxer]

Erm, what? I happen to know you're a Cowboys fan...

HAHA only a Cowboys fan because I picked them as my team when I was 7yrs old. Never changed since that day... I don't even know why I started to like them, I assume its cause my entire family loved the Bears (this was pre colt's in INDY) so I was being a rebel. I barely remember a time when the boys wupped the bears like 50+ something to 14? not sure if that was it but I remember being in the basement watchn that game and I liked them since. Talk about supporting your team!

Warm / cold rain or not if our rivers continue to run this high and we continue to get this rain their is gonna be trouble. I know the Yuba side only has like 30 year protection still. All those new houses...

Either way when the flood waters run I say stock up the fridge cause I am on may way to your house HAHAH

 

[VF21]

Just remember my house is strictly BYOB.

 

[BigWaxer]

HEY! if I have to run to the hills its clothes on our back... I am looking for FreeB's

 

[VF21]

HAHA only a Cowboys fan because I picked them as my team when I was 7yrs old. Never changed since that day... I don't even know why I started to like them, I assume its cause my entire family loved the Bears (this was pre colt's in INDY) so I was being a rebel. I barely remember a time when the boys wupped the bears like 50+ something to 14? not sure if that was it but I remember being in the basement watchn that game and I liked them since. Talk about supporting your team!

Warm / cold rain or not if our rivers continue to run this high and we continue to get this rain their is gonna be trouble. I know the Yuba side only has like 30 year protection still. All those new houses...

Either way when the flood waters run I say stock up the fridge cause I am on may way to your house HAHAH

There are a myriad of problems with those levees - on both sides of the river. The whole idea of "30 year" protection is a misnomer. Those levees are only as strong as their weakest portion - and some areas have significant damage from prior years that still hasn't been properly repaired.

Our community center up here was home to close to 50 people when the last break occurred. We're already on stand-by in case we're needed again...

 

[VF21]

HEY! if I have to run to the hills its clothes on our back... I am looking for FreeB's

Looking and finding are two different things. Touch my Corona ... and die. It's really that simple.

 

[VF21]

All kidding aside, those of you on the valley floor, please stay safe!! The tremendous amounts of rain that have fallen up here in the past 48 hours have to go somewhere - and it's all downhill from me. If you're in an area that could possibly flood, take a few moments and gather your important papers and items NOW. Forewarned is forearmed...

It's still raining here but not as hard as earlier today. Just a couple of miles up the road, it's snowing again...

The last winter/spring like this was 1982. I do NOT want to see a repeat.

 

[VF21]

...sigh...

I shouldn't have said anything. I am now watching large quantities of huge snowflakes fall from the sky.

That's it for the weather commentary. It's game time!!!

GO KINGS!!!!

 

[BigWaxer]

I am more worried about a warm storm melting the snow in your area then the rain...

 

[BigWaxer]

what happened in '82? I was a kid then and in Indiana..?

 

[VF21]

Sorry but I'm more worried about not having enough firewood and having to shovel my roof AGAIN to keep it from falling in...

 

[VF21]

Weather talk can wait. It's GAME TIME!!!

---------------------------------------------

Bibby, Wells, Artest, KT and Brad for the Kings

Terry, Stackhouse, Nowitzki, Howard and Diop for the Mavs

 

[BigWaxer]

Yup


Go Kings

 

[VF21]

Ready for the tip...

To the Mavs.

Howard over Miller for two.

2-0 Mavs

Bounce pass from KT to cutting Bibby, for two and the +1 from STackhouse. 1PF.

Bibby bonus good.

3-2 KINGS

11:28 left

 

[VF21]

Mavs miss; Miller board.

Nice ball movement - every King touched the ball - got to Bonzi under the hoop for the easy two.

5-2 KINGS

Dirk for two over Bibby.

5-4 KINGS

KT jumper off the rim; Mavs board.

Dirk miss; Miller board.

Bibby kick out to Artest, steps inside, misses jumper. Mavs board.

9:54 left

Mavs turnover as pass goes straight - oob. Kings ball.

 

[VF21]

Bibby long two is good.

7-4 KINGS

Stack for two.

7-6 KINGS

9:16 left

Bibby to ARtest, who works inside, kicks out to Miller. Jumper misses; Mavs board.

Mavs ball, knocked oob by KT off Dallas. Kings ball.

Bibby pass, intended for Miller, knocked oob by Diop. Still Kings ball.

Bibby inside, gets the bucket on Howard goal-tend.

9-6 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Howard for two.

9-8 KINGS

More good ball movement. Artest starts outside, kicks over to KT, who works inside and is fouled. Non-shooting. 2 team fouls. Still Kings ball.

Kings turnover - Artest in the corner is called for having his heel touch the sideline. Mavs ball.

Miller comes out to cover Dirk, is called for bump foul. Non-shooting. Still Mavs ball.

Terry half-hook from the side is good.

10-9 Mavs

 

[VF21]

Artest running the point, to Miller who goes straight at Diop, over to Bibby, who sees Bonzi in the corner. Wells for long two.

11-10 KINGS

Stack miss, Artest tips the board to Miller and over to Bibby.

Bonzi to KT, inside -kciks out to Artest who has to take an off-balance three. No good but Kings get the offensive board. Terry out; ARmstrong in.

6:37 left

Bibby miss; Mavs board.

Dirk smothered by Artest, shot is off; Miller board.

Brad shot blocked but KT catches it. Back to Miller, miss; Mavs baord.

 

[VF21]

Stack miss but tipped in by Diop.

12-11 Mavs

Kings ball.

Artest jumper misses; Mavs board.

Howard jumper is good.

Kings ball.

14-11 Mavs

BONZI FOR THREE!!! on great pass by Artest into the corner.

14-14

Mavs ball.

Time out and commercial.

4:52 left

 

[VF21]

Mavs ball.

Stack inside past Wells for two.

16-14 Mavs

Artest from the corner is off; Mavs board.

Stack misses three; Miller tips the board but Howard gets it. New clock for the Mavs.

Armstrong for two.

18-14 Mavs

3:51 left

Nice feed by Miller to cutting Artest, good for two.

18-16 Mavs

 

[VF21]

Mavs miss; Wells board.

Bibby draws foul from Armstrong. Martin and SAR in for Miller and Artest.

Kings ball. Bonzi from the corner misses this time: Dirk board.

Howard draws foul from Bibby. 1PF. Second team foul on the Kings.

Still Mavs ball.

Offensive foul called on Powell, who runs over Wells.

2:57 left

Time out and commercial.

Kings ball after the break.

 

[VF21]

Kings ball.

Bonzi drives inside, draws foul from Powell. 2PF

To the line for two.

Makes first; and second.

18-18

2:40 left

 

[VF21]

Dirk jumper is good.

20-18 Mavs

KT pass inside to Bonzi, who is called for stepping oob. IN Bonzi's defense, he had to step back to make the catch. VERY hard, high pass by KT.

Mavs with four attempts inside, but can't get anything to fall because purple jerseys are all over them. Finally, ball oob called off Kings.

Mavs ball. Shot and two.

22-18 Mavs

Martin for two.

22-20 Mavs

 

[VF21]

Terry for two.

24-20 Mavs

Wells jumper no good, KT with the board. Good ball movement, over to Martin who kicks back to KT - who misses finger roll. Dirk board.

Howard miss but Dampier tips it in.

26-20 Mavs

Bibby airball three; Mavs ball.

4.0 seconds left.

Kings with foul to give. Martin covering inbound man. Oh crapola. KT called for non-shooting foul away from the ball, wasting the foul to give.

Mavs inbound.

KT steals it and gets the lay-up.

26-22 Mavs

Mavs throw full court but buzzer sounds as shot misses.

26-22 Mavs

End of the first quarter.

 

[VF21]

Kings ball to start the second quarter.

Detroit leading Hornets 65-54.

Garcia, Martin, Artest, Miller and SAR on the court.

Good ball movement - Miller jumper for two.

26-24 Mavs

11:25 left

Terry in and out, but tipped back by Mavs.

Grant keeps harping about offensive rebounds but that was clearly a tip-in.

28-24 Mavs

SAR called for traveling. Mavs ball.