Kings-Sonics PBP thread for April 18

[VF21]

Welcome, fellow Kings fans!

It's a beautiful day here in the forest. There's sunlight, a soft breeze (a little cold but did I mention there's sunlight?), and birds all over the place.

First, I guess I owe people an apology. In case you didn't see it, we got a very irate comment from some basketball fan who was most upset that our game thread didn't have anything about the game in it. He railed on about what a miserable bunch of "fans" we are. Apparently I haven't made this thread prominent enough. (I'm not sure what else I could do - more dancing elephants perhaps?)

So, anyway here we are... Who wudda thunk it? It's April 18 and we're not making our vacation plans quite yet. You can credit a lot of reasons, but if the first one on your list isn't Ron Artest you simply haven't been paying attention...

Here's what the Bee has to say about tonight's matchup:

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14244607p-15063059c.html

KINGS UPDATE
Status: There is still significance here: A victory tonight coupled with a Lakers loss Wednesday would move the Kings from the No. 8 seed into seventh. But this is a tuneup, too. It's a chance for shooting guard Kevin Martin to continue honing his act off the bench and for backup point guard Jason Hart to post another solid effort as his time has increased lately. It's a chance, perhaps, for rookie swingman Francisco García to show a flash of why he should be remembered come playoff time.

Trend: The Kings are back to defending again, as they allowed 82 points against Denver and 79 against New Orleans after Phoenix scored 123 in the second-half upset on April 11. The Nuggets and Hornets shot a combined 41.8 percent (64 of 153) in the two games.

Injury report: None.

SUPERSONICS UPDATE
Status: They haven't had a postseason to play for in some time, but the SuperSonics remain dangerous as long as they have Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. After bouncing the Kings in last season's first round, the Sonics didn't take long to go under, starting this season 1-4 and falling eight games below .500 by the end of January.

Trend: It's never good to be the league's worst defensive unit. It's even worse when there's a gap of two points per game allowed between the Sonics at No. 30 (105.6) and No. 29 Toronto (103.6).

Injury report: Robert Swift, sprained right foot, out; Danny Fortson, sore left knee, out.

Best matchup: Wells vs. Allen - One wonders how this Kings team would have fared against the Sonics last April, when Allen was lighting up everyone coach Rick Adelman threw his way. Wells may get help with Allen, but Wells is plenty physical enough to contend with one of the game's greats.

Maloof Sports is doing something very interesting at tonight's game. They're giving away a HD-TV to one fan in EACH section of Arco. I have my fingers crossed that at least one of you attending tonight will walk home with the prize. If you do, we sure want to see a picture!!!

This is the play-by-play thread. (I'm repeating it in case that person returns...) In addition to this thread, you can talk about the game in piksi's world-famous (although apparently pitifully inadequate) game discussion thread and you can join the folks in Mr. Slim's CHAT PARTY LIVE at mIRC, server irc.bludgeon.org, channel #Kingsfans.

Everything here at Kingsfans.com is possible because of the generosity and dedication of our board owner, the great and powerful Grand Poobah, JGar. If you would like to learn how you can help defray some of the costs associated with keeping Kingsfans.com up and running as the #1 Sacramento Kings Interent Community, please consider becoming a Contributing Member. You are under no obligation, of course.

Now, let's focus on tonight's game. You know, that's another thing I like about Artest. He continually reminds the media, the team and the fans that it's one game at a time.

GO KINGS!!!

 

[Dime Dropper]

May I ask, what time is the game? I'm looking at the time above VF's name and right now its at about 11:42. I'm trying to figure out if I'll still be up for it! I realise this is the PBP thread (thank you so much by the way VF, I couldn't live without it) so I won't post in here unless asked to! Thanks!

 

[piksi]

In addition to this thread, you can talk about the game in piksi's world-famous (although apparently pitifully inadequate) game discussion thread

what can I say - I suck

 

[VF21]

May I ask, what time is the game? I'm looking at the time above VF's name and right now its at about 11:42. I'm trying to figure out if I'll still be up for it! I realise this is the PBP thread (thank you so much by the way VF, I couldn't live without it) so I won't post in here unless asked to! Thanks!

The game is at 7 PM our time, which is a little less than 6 hours from now.

 

[Prophetess]

may I add that KHTK 1140am said they would also be giving away a HDTV to ONE lucky listener tonight.

Thanks as always for the pbp VF.

 

[bibbinator]

SUPERSONICS UPDATE
Status: They haven't had a postseason to play for in some time, but the SuperSonics remain dangerous...

 

[PixelPusher]

Today's a News10 game, which mean I get to watch it up here in Chico, but thanks again for all of your PBP this season.

 

[VF21]

It means the Sonics are playing not for playoff positioning but just for pride.

 

[VF21]

You're welcome, Pixel!!

I swear, one of these times I'm going to actually attend a final regular-season home game. Until that happens, however, I'll be here to share the emotions and impressions as best I can...

 

[bozzwell]

Today's a News10 game, which mean I get to watch it up here in Chico, but thanks again for all of your PBP this season.

Good for you.

So, Vf21 is doing PBP just for pride tonight, eh?

VF show those loafers around NBA what the Kings fans are made of.

 

[VF21]

Kings lineup: Bibby, Wells, Artest, KT and Brad

Sonics lineup: Ridnour, Allen, Lewis, Wilcox and Petro

 

[VF21]

Ready for the tip...

SEA with the ball.

Shot miss; Wells board.

11:30 left

Wells shot partially blocked; SEA ball.

Allen shot partially blocked; Kings ball.

Bibby alley but Wells oops. SEA ball.

Allen for two.

2-0 SEA

 

[VF21]

Miller jumper misses; KT swats the rebound.

ARTEST FOR THREE!!!!!!!

3-2 KINGS

Allen miss; Miller board.

Bibby to KT to wide open Wells under the bucket.

5-2 KINGS

 

[VF21]

SEA pass deflected off Miller and oob. Still SEA ball.

9:40 left

KT with the steal.

Bonzi to Bibby - miss. Lewis board.

Pass intended for Petro slapped oob by KT. Still SEA ball.

Allen smothered by Wells. Ball oob, still SEA.

Wilcox miss; Miller board.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!

8-2 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Allen for two.

8-4 KINGS

Miller jumper off the rim; Lewis board.

Kings doing a good job in transition.

SEA miss; Artest board.

Bonzi fakes Allen and gets inside for two more.

10-4 KINGS

Lewis for two on the other end.

10-6 KINGS

7:29 left

 

[VF21]

KT drives inside, gets the bucket and the +1 from Wilcox.

Bonus good.

13-6 KINGS

Allen miss but Petro tips it in.

13-8 KINGS

7:00 left

Kings oob; SEA ball.

SEA miss; KT board.

KT miss; Wilcox board.

Allen alley to Wilcox oop.

13-10 KINGS

 

[VF21]

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!

16-10 KINGS

Lewis miss; KT board.

Bibby pass to waiting Miller under the bucket.

18-10 KINGS

5:38 left

Time out and commercial...

Have no idea how Miller managed to get ahead of all the Sonics... It's a miracle!!!

 

[VF21]

Miller shot tipped in by KT.

20-10 KINGS

Allen to the line on foul by Bibby.

Makes first; misses second.

20-11 KINGS

Wells with a dunk.

22-11 KINGS

4:43 left

Lewis miss; Kings board.

Bibby three in and out; Wells with the putback.

24-11 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Allen to the line.

Makes first; SAR in for Miller. misses second. Lots of trouble with the board, but Artest ends up with it.

24-12 KINGS

Offensive foul called on Bibby...

SEA ball.

4:05 left

Lewis for three.

24-15 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Artest miss; SEA board.

SEA ball oob off Ridnour's foot. Kings ball.

Martin in for Wells.

Time out and commercial.

3:22 left

24-15 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Kings ball.

Hart, Martin, KT, SAR and Artest on the court.

SAR miss; SEA ball.

SEA oob; Kings ball.

SAR miss; SEA board.

Moore for two.

24-17 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Artest miss; loose ball foul called on Collison. Kings ball.

Martin miss; Watson board.

Kings get back on defense and SEattle has to regroup.

Collison shot blocked by KT; but KT called for foul. Replay sure didn't look like a foul.

Collison one of two.

24-18 KINGS

1:10 left

Martin for two.

26-18 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Lewis miss; SAR called for loose ball foul.

55 seconds left.

Moore at the line. Misses first; gets second.

26-19 KINGS

Artest miss; KT board and touch-pass to SAR, who gets the bucket.

28-19 KINGS

Ridnour for two.

28-21 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Good ball movement by the Kings. Get ball inside to KT who draws the foul with 3.6 seconds left.

Misses first off the front of the rim; misses second off to the left.

End of the first quarter.

28-21 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Martin for two.

30-21 KINGS

Garcia in for Artest.

Watson jumper misses but he's fouled by Hart. Must have breathed on him...

Watson makes first; misses second. SAR with the board.

Miller tries alley intended for Martin, but he's fouled. NOn-shooting. Still Kings ball.

Miller works inside and gets the runner to fall.

32-22 KINGS

Allen miss; Kings board.

 

[VF21]

Garcia EXCELLENT feed into Miller for easy two.

34-22 KINGS

SEA miss; MIller board and full-court pass to Martin, who is tackled and held by Moore.

Kevin to the line.

Makes first; misses second. SEA board.

35-22 KINGS

Watson shot tipped in by Collison.

35-24 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Miller bounce pass in to cutting Martin, good for two more.

37-24 KINGS

Allen for three...

37-27 KINGS

Hart jumper behind Miller screen is good.

39-27 KINGS

SEA miss; Moore board.

Watson for three.

39-30 KINGS

BEAUTIFUL ball movement and Hart off the ball, cuts inside and gets bullet pass from SAR. Hart with two more.

41-30 KINGS

SEA ball; turnover. Martin witht he ball.

 

[VF21]

Cisco short from the corner; COllison board.

Watson for two.

41-32 KINGS

7:41 left

Hart jumpr in and out but Martin soars and gets the putback.

43-32 KINGS

Moore inside, ball knocked oob by flying Garcia.

time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

2006 winner of the Oscar Robinson award for sportsmanship, leadership, community service - Corliss Williamson

I agree completely.

 

[VF21]

Kings ball. Miss, but Miller cleans it up and gets two.

45-32 Kings

SEA for two.

45-34 KINGS

SAR for two.

47-34 KINGS

Wells grimacing and limping, according to Grant.

He looks okay to me...Wells called for foul on Collison. 2PF. He's out and Artest is back in.

Adelman and Youngman making sure Wells is okay.

SEA ball.