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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Sacramento Kings have emphatically
altered the debate about which team is best out West.
|  | | Chris Webber and the Kings got the best of Rasheed Wallace and the Blazers. |
Chris Webber scored 34 points and converted a key layup off a
missed free throw as the Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers
111-101 Saturday in a magnificent showdown between the top teams in
the Western Conference.
"It's definitely the first time in my career that I honestly
believe we can control our own destiny," said Webber, who also had
10 rebounds, six assists and four steals. "We want the homecourt
advantage. We want to show everyone that we are not just good on
paper, we're good on the floor."
Predrag Stojakovic added 20 points for the Kings, who have won
four straight and 13 of their last 17. Sacramento (27-10) pulled
within a half-game of the Blazers (30-12) in the Pacific Division,
although the Kings have a better winning percentage. Only
Philadelphia (30-9) has a better record.
The Kings, who had lost nine straight in Portland and 32 of
their last 33, improved to 10-7 on the road. They were 14-27 last
season.
"Before, we just lose it in the fourth quarter, but this time
we played strong," Stojakovich said. "This gives us big
confidence."
Rasheed Wallace scored 25 points and Damon Stoudamire had 21 for
the Trail Blazers, who had won three straight and 13 of 14.
"That was a tough way to lose a ball game," Blazers coach Mike
Dunleavy said. "Turnovers were the killer for us."
The Blazers committed 18, and trailed by nine with a little more
than five minutes remaining, but got within 98-97 on Wallace's
3-pointer with 2:14 to go. After Webber and Portland center Arvydas
Sabonis traded long jumpers, Stojakovic hit a short jumper and got
fouled. The free throw made it 103-99 with 1:20 left.
Two free throws by Wallace cut the lead to two, but at the other
end, Sacramento's Hidayet Turkoglu got bumped by Steve Smith, and
went to the line. His first shot was good, but the second was off,
and Webber outjumped Wallace for the rebound.
"Webber was just terrific," Kings coach Rick Adelman said.
"Every game he plays big. I think he's the leading candidate for
MVP."
Webber's layup made it 106-101 with 51.4 seconds left. On the
next possession, Wallace's 3-point try rolled out.
The Kings shot a season-high 55.8 percent, eclipsing their
55.7-percent effort in Wednesday night's win over Boston.
Sabonis added 18 points for Blazers, who shot 55.7 percent but
made just 6 of 19 field goals in the fourth quarter. Only Portland
and the Celtics have shot at least 50 percent against the Kings
this season.
Scottie Pippen, who missed six straight games with a sore right
elbow, had two points on 1-for-6 shooting in a reserve role.
Portland, which lost the first meeting between the teams in
November, is 4-6 against the Pacific and 26-6 against the rest of
the league.
The Blazers trailed by nine early in the third but went on a
17-2 run to get back in the game. They came undone in the fourth,
however, by going 5:12 without a point. That allowed the Kings to
go on an 8-0 run, capped by Tukoglu's 3-pointer.
"On paper it looks like we did a good job, but two things --
turnovers and not getting to the free throw line -- hurt us,"
Portland's Steve Smith said.
Each team shot just over 68 percent in the first quarter,
setting the stage for an entertaining battle.
The Blazers made eight of their first 11 shots, while the Kings
made 12 of their first 16. A 3-pointer by Wallace with 2.5 seconds
left put Portland ahead 34-33 after one period. Webber had 14
points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Notes:
Portland will retire Clyde Drexler's No. 22. Drexler, who
retired 2 1/2 years ago, led the Blazers to their last NBA Finals
appearances, in 1990 and '92. He's the Blazers' all-time leader in
scoring and rebounding. ... Stojakovich scored just two points on
1-of-11 shooting against Portland earlier this season. ... Wallace
added to his league-high technical foul total by getting his 22nd
in the second quarter. Late in the third, after arguing an
offensive foul against him, he had words with coach Mike Dunleavy,
who had gone onto the court to restrain him.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Sacramento Clubhouse
Portland Clubhouse
Blazers will retire Drexler's jersey number on March 6
RECAPS
Sacramento 111
Portland 101
Dallas 97
Denver 79
New Jersey 123
Chicago 103
Orlando 112
San Antonio 109
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Confidence booster
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Playoff atmosphere
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Mike Dunleavy Official Site
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