RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Sacramento Kings are complementing
their powerful offense with solid defense.
|  | | Chris Webber scored 23 points before a sprained ankle put him on the bench. |
Predrag Stojakovic scored 28 points and Chris Webber added 23
points and 13 rebounds Sunday night as the Sacramento Kings
defeated the Dallas Mavericks 109-84.
The main concern after the game, however, was the condition of Webber, who
sprained his ankle in the final seconds of the third quarter and didn't return to action. The Kings listed his condition as day-to-day.
He's the man, our main guy, our leader, I got scared when I saw
him go down," Kings center Vlade Divac said. "I did see the play
and I didn't know what happened. I thought it might be a knee."
The Kings defeated Dallas for the seventh straight game at ARCO
Arena. Sacramento has only allowed two teams to score more than 100
points, both in overtime games.
That's a reversal from last season when the Kings allowed an
average of 102 points, the third-highest total in the league.
"I think teams still look at us and think they are going to
score a lot of points," said Kings reserve forward Lawrence
Funderburke, who scored 14 points. "Teams think we're still an
inferior defensive team. But we're playing hard on defense and they
still have to guard us at the other end."
It was a long night for the Mavericks, who struggled
offensively for the third straight game and have averaged 78
points, losing two of three. Dallas shot 40 percent overall and
missed 9 of 10 3-point attempts.
"We had a poor performance, and when that happens against a
good team, we're going to get blown out," Dallas coach Don Nelson
said. "I think the Kings have improved defensively. I know it's a
higher priority for them. They are a better team than a year ago."
Sacramento is 3-0 this season at home and plays six of the next
seven games at ARCO.
"This was a very good win for us," Kings coach Rick Adelman
said. "We were really active and aggressive the whole game. I'm
pleased with our activity at both ends of the court."
Stojakovic connected on four 3-pointers and made 10 of 18 shots
for the Kings, who never trailed after scoring 11 straight points
early in the first quarter.
"I feel real comfortable on the court this year, I'm letting
the game come to me," Stojakovic said.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 points for Dallas, which played the
first of six straight road games over a nine-day stretch. Michael
Finley and Christian Laettner both had 12 points.
Doug Christie had 13 points and Jason Williams had 12 points and
seven assists.
Leading by 13 points at halftime, the Kings opened the third
quarter with 11 straight points. Two free throws by Williams gave
Sacramento a 73-47 lead midway through the third period. The Kings
took an 82-59 lead into the fourth quarter.
After Dallas made a brief run to open the fourth quarter,
cutting the lead to 84-67, Funderburke had a dunk and followed with
two free throws. Stojakovic made a three-point play and added a
3-point basket as the Kings assumed a 97-71 lead with 6:33 left to
play
Webber scored 16 points and had eight rebounds in the opening
half, which was dominated by Sacramento. Stojakovic added 14 points
as the Kings took a 54-41 lead into halftime.
Game notes
Dallas didn't attempt a free throw or shoot a 3-pointer in
the opening quarter. ... The two teams combined for only seven
first-half turnovers. ... Dallas owner Mark Cuban sat courtside
behind the Mavericks' bench. ... The Kings made 7 of 18 3-pointers,
while the Mavericks were 1 of 9.
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NBA Scoreboard
Dallas Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Detroit 101
Seattle 92
Denver 95
LA Clippers 79
Orlando 105
Golden State 99
Sacramento 109
Dallas 84
LA Lakers 105
Houston 99
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