Kings@Wizards PBP for Feb. 22

[VF21]

Greetings, fellow Kings fans.

Yep, I'm still here.

Let's see what Joe Davidson has to say about tonight's game:

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/127262.html

Tonight's Game: Kings (23-29) at Washington (30-21)

KINGS OUTLOOK - Sacramento begins a four-game road swing with only the last game against Philadelphia looking anything at all as inviting. The Wizards are a bona fide Eastern Conference contender led by prolific scorer Gilbert Arenas, whom Kings coach Eric Musselman knows well and admires. When the teams met Dec. 21 at Arco Arena, Arenas heated up in the third quarter with four three-pointers and finished with 30 points in Washington's 126-119 victory. Brad Miller seems to be ready for more minutes after an encouraging return Tuesday against Boston.

WIZARDS OUTLOOK - Arenas is one of the game's refreshing free spirits. He's good, and he knows it, and there he is at home games yelling "Hibachi" every time he shoots. Now the Wizards are handing out autographed grills when he has big games. Caron Butler, a first-time All-Star, has had a banner season and might draw Ron Artest on a few sets. Artest missed the first meeting because of a sore knee. Antawn Jamison scored 33 against the Kings in December but is out tonight because of a knee injury.

KEY MATCHUP - Mike Bibby vs. Gilbert Arenas - Arenas has torched all comers during this monstrous season, and he's bigger and stronger and more explosive than Bibby.

PROBABLE STARTERS

Kings - Bibby, Martin, Artest, Thomas, Miller

Wizards - Arenas, Stevenson, Butler, Blatche, Haywood

Did I miss something somewhere? Who the heck is Blatche? Sounds like the noise my cat makes when he's hacking up a furball... blaaatche.

So now we're reduced to trying to figure out what the philosophy is going to be for the remaining games of the season. I guess one of the biggest questions is whether or not the staff will give optimum playing time to the young guns... it's something only time will tell.

I know some of you are horribly disappointed that we didn't make some kind of last-minute trade to solve our problems. I think they tried; in fact, I know they tried. But trades require all parties to agree and it just didn't happen. If you look around the league, there were lots of teams that didn't make any trades. Rather an odd year in that respect.

Game time is early, so I'm going to get my firewood in now and make another pot of coffee. It's been snowing since about 6:15 this morning. It's not a blizzard or anything, but it definitely looks like winter out there for the first time this year.

I'm glad at least that the sword isn't hanging over Bibby's head any longer. That can't have been easy.

See you back here for the game...

GO KINGS!!!

 

[chelle]

Glad to hear that it is snowing where you are. It's 79 down here! I miss having snow, but I am glad that spring has apparently arrived for us!

 

[Ryle]

Blatche is just another in the long line of players who will have career nights against our front line. He and Haywood will probably combine for about 50 rebounds tonight and 13 blocked shots.....Arenas will probably also have a block on Brad as he always tends to get stuffed by the opposing teams point guard.

 

[VF21]

Okay, almost game time. Grant and Jerry acting as though they knew all along Bibby wouldn't be traded.



Focus tonight was on Garcia and Salmons and Musselman's comment that they both need a lot more playing time. Hrm????? Perhaps the whole let the young guys, for the most part, have the major minutes idea has taken root? Only one problem - if we rely on Musselman to implement it, he'll find a way to screw it up.
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Okay, one brief note. If I disappear, it's because I've lost power. It's been problematic all day, which is normal for the first snowfall in a while. It's almost like the power lines forget they're supposed to work in all kinds of weather.

 

[VF21]

Interesting stat: With this starting five, the Kings are 11-7. With all other combinations, they're 12-22.

All that shows is that when we have to promote one of our bench guys into a starting slot, we're pretty much SOL.

----------------------------------------
Grant (and Jerry) doing a lot of schmoozing about Mike Bibby. Sounds almost like they're trying to win points or something.

Bennett Salvatore, Tom Watson and somebody else officiating.

Tip to the Kings.

Bibby inside, to ARtest, who spots Miller in the corner. Miss. Wash board.

Heheheheh. Wash board.

Offensive foul called on Haywood. Kings ball.

 

[VF21]

Good ball movement by the Kings, Miller passes up long jumper, moves in - shot blocked. Wash ball.

Washington miss; Kings ball.

Kings miss; Wash ball.

Butler from the corner for two.

2-0 WW

10;32 left

KT half-hook ties it up.

2-2

 

[VF21]

Haywood working against Miller is called for traveling this time. He's 0-2 against Miller, at least as far as possession is concerned.

Kings ball.

KT inside, ball knocked oob off WW. Still Kings ball.

Artest works inside, draws foul from Butler.

Ron to the line.

9;49 left

Hrm. Just noticed. Caron Butler has really pretty eyelashes.



Artest misses first; second also rims out.

Miller with the rebound, Miller misses the putback but Artest gets it to fall.

4-2 KINGS

Butler miss; Martin board.

 

[VF21]

Artest pull-up jumper for two.

6-2 KINGS

9;06 left

WW ball. Steal tap by Miller, Martin ends up with it. Kicks over to Bibby, for open three.

9-2 KINGS

Arenas draws the foul from Bibby and heads to the line.

8;36 left

Makes first; and second.

9-4 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Kings ball. Kt loses the ball, but Martin gets it back, drives inside, is smothered and tries to pass out but no Kings are around.

WW with the ball.

Arenas for three.

9-7 KINGS

Bibby for two.

11-7 KINGS

Stevenson from the corner misses; KT board.

Miller to Bibby, miss. Arenas board.

Arenas for two more.

11-9 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Artest able to stroll right past Butler for two.

13-9 KINGS

Haywood inside for two and the +1. Bonus good.

13-12 KINGS

6;33 left

LOTS of fans cleverly disguised as empty chairs visible...

Artest for two from the corner.

15-12 KINGS

Butler around Artest for two.

15-14 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Bibby to MIller, jumper misses. KT called for loose ball foul.

Time out and commercial.

15-14 KINGS

5;41 left

 

[VF21]

WW to inbound.

Kings showing the zone, Stevenson cuts through but misses. Miller smacked in the head but no call. Ball oob off Kings. WW inbound.

Arenas for three.

17-15 WW

Bibby to Miller, inside to wide open Martin for two.

17-17

Arenas for two more.

19-17 KINGS

Musselman sending Price in to try and at least bother Arenas.

Kings for two.

19-19

Oh, Darius sighting!!!

 

[VF21]

3;58 left

Artest to the line.

Makes first; misses second.

20-19 KINGS

Artest now covering Arenas. Price on Butler.

Butler tries to cut around Price, knocks him to the floor. Price wasn't set, so foul on him.

Price and Artest switching off on Arenas.

Arenas for two.

21-20 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Okay, I don't know what just happened...my computer OR my connection went more than a little nuts.

It's now time out and commercial.

They show the Wizards dancers and they're wearing Hanes underwear to dance in, I think.

 

[VF21]

2;53 left

Artest at the line.

Makes bonus.

23-23

Price, Martin, Artest, Corliss and Miller on the court.

WW ball. Price all over Arenas and he just smiles and hits a long jumper.

26-23 WW

Artest responds with a three at the other end.

26-26

 

[VF21]

Darius miss on partially blocked shot by Corliss.

Martin drives inside, is fouled - no call on that - but is called for traveling.

Salmons in for Martin.

1;47 left

Hayes jumper good.

28-26 WW

Salmon pull-up jumper doesn't go; Hayes board.

Arenas misses Stevenson snags the rebound. Shot clock malfunction.

WW ball.

Price covering Arenas, who shoots and misses... count to three and then there's a late whistle. Arenas to the line on foul by Price.

Arenas makes both.

30-26 WW

 

[VF21]

Artest airball; WW board.

Darius miss, ET with the putback and the +1.

36.5 seconds left

SAR in for Miller.

Bonus good.

33-26 WW

Price in to Corliss, shot partially blocked. WW board.

Arenas called for offensive foul. Kings ball.

12 seconds left.

 

[VF21]

Arenas called for blocking foul. Non-shooting.

4.6 seconds left

Still Kings ball. Bibby back in.

Salmons inbound to Bibby...

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!

33-29 KINGS

End of the first quarter.

 

[VF21]

WW ball to start the second.

ww for two.

35-29 WW (Sorry for the above score showing the Kings leading...)

Kings for two.

35-31 WW

Artest with the steal and breakaway two.

35-33 WW

WW ball. SAR with the steal and the breakaway for two more. 4 turnovers for Arenas.

35-35

 

[VF21]

Darius miss; Artest board.

SAR, Corliss, Artest, Garcia and Salmons for the Kings

Corliss at the line. One of two.

36-35 KINGS

9;36 left

Daniels inside, to ET - shot blocked by SAR. Kings ball. Corliss runs over Arenas and is called for the foul.

WW ball. Arenas floats inside for two.

37-36 WW

Arenas with the +1 - good.

38-36 WW

 

[VF21]

SAR jumper in and out; ET board.

Arenas bad miss over Salmons.

Kings ball.

Corliss inside, called for offensive foul.

Time out and commercial...

They show Quincy Douby and Justin Williams joking (I think) with Bibby, who doesn't seem to be amused. Not sure what it's about... I also just saw Jason Hart. Hrm. Didn't realize he even traveled with the team...

 

[VF21]

WW ball.

Bibby, SAR, Cisco, Salmons and Corliss on the court. Arenas on the bench.

Daniels miss; Corliss board.

8;02 left

Pass intended for SAR goes over his head, WW ball.

Stevenson ball, Booth runs down the rebound but forgets to dribble. Traveling called. Kings ball.

Salmons turnover; WW ball.

7;33 left

 

[VF21]

38-36 WW

Hayes long shot misses by a mile; ET rebound. Stevenson for two.

40-36 WW

Salmons inside, hands off to SAR, who misses, gets his own rebound and draws a foul. SAR to the line for two.

Lots of elbows starting to fly under the baskets.

SAR makes first; misses second.

40-37 Was

 

[VF21]

Stevenson from the corner for three.

43-37 Wash

Kings ball.

Corliss elbow jumper for two.

43-39 Wash

6;13 left

Offensive foul called on ET; Kings ball.

Martin in for Salmons.

Bibby to Corliss off the screen, miss. Wash board.

Stevenson out to Butler, miss. Haywood rebound, SAR called for foul.

Time out and commercial.

5;47 left

 

[VF21]

Stevenson for two.

45-39 Wash

Martin to the line. Artest in for Corliss. Arenas back in.

5;22 left

Makes first; and second.

45-41 Wash

Arenas for two more.

47-41 Wash

 

[VF21]

Bibby to SAR, who drives inside very awkwardly and loses the ball. Wash ball.

Arenas drives inside, Bibby takes it away. Bibby on the other end for two.

47-43 Wash

Stevenson for two.

49-43 Wash

Artest miss; Bibby rebound. Bibby miss, Artest tip in.

49-45 Wash

Wash turnover on bad pass. Garcia drives inside, dish to SAR who misses the close in hook. Wash ball.

 

[VF21]

Arenas tries to get past Cisco and is fouled.

3;12 left

Correction: Bibby dished to Garcia for the bucket after the take away.

Miller in for SAR.

Arenas at the line.

Makes first; makes second on the bounce.

51-45 Wash

3;04 left

Martin to Artest to Bibby, miss. Wash board.

 

[VF21]

Arenas drives inside, runs right over Garcia and is called for the offensive foul. Eddie Jordan and Gilbert Arenas start to argue with the official as they go to time out and commercial...

 

[VF21]

Kings ball.

Artest splits the defense and gets inside for two.

51-47 Wash

2;02 left

Arenas for two more... ho hum...

53-47 Wash

Cisco three misses; Butler board.

Wash ball. Artest with the block. Kings ball.

Bibby drives inside, runs into Butler. Called for offensive foul. Wash board.

1;26 left

 

[VF21]

Non-shooting foul called on Martin. Still Wash ball.

Wash miss; Kings ball. Butler steal from Bibby from behind. Wash ball again.

Garcia covering Arenas. Doesn't fall for the fake but is still called for breathing on Arenas' arm.

Arenas to the line.

Makes first; and second.

55-47 Wash