RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
 GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Considered a finesse team, the
Sacramento Kings flexed their muscles Friday night against the
Phoenix Suns.
Chris Webber led the inside game with 28 points and 14 rebounds
as the Kings defeated the Suns 105-98.
|  | | Chris Webber had 28 points and 14 rebounds to help the Kings win for the ninth time in 11 games Friday. |
Sacramento won for the ninth time in 11 games to take over first
place in the Pacific Division with an 11-4 record. The third-place
Suns are 10-5.
Webber, and centers Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard were a force
inside. Divac had a huge third quarter and Pollard had a big first
half and finished with 14 points as the Kings outplayed Phoenix
inside.
"I think we took advantage of that (the inside) tonight," said
Divac, who had 14 points and six rebounds. "We tried to do it in
the first quarter, but Chris and I got into foul trouble. In the
third quarter, I wanted to get myself back in the game."
Divac accomplished that, helping the Kings break the game open
with a 13-2 run midway through the third period.
Divac scored seven points, including the final two on an inside
move, giving Sacramento a 78-57 lead with 3:21 remaining.
Divac spent most of the first half on the bench with foul
problems, but scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds in the
third quarter as the Kings shot 11-for-20 and outscored Phoenix
28-17.
"We came out in the third quarter and laid an egg," Suns coach
Scott Skiles said.
Jason Williams scored 16 points and Doug Christie had 15 points
and six assists for the Kings.
Tony Delk made three 3-pointers and had 21 points for Phoenix,
which cut the lead to 102-96 late in the game. Shawn Marion had 17
points and 10 rebounds. Cliff Robinson scored 17 points and Jason
Kidd added 16 points and 10 assists.
The Suns cut into a 20-point deficit by scoring 12 straight
points midway through the fourth quarter. Delks 3-pointer pulled
Phoenix within 96-88 with 4:17 remaining.
Webber countered with a jump hook and two outside shots,
building Sacramentos lead to 102-88 with 2:18 left.
"We were really solid for the whole game, except for that stage
in the fourth quarter," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "The only
thing Id question is that we had so many unforced turnovers that
were unnecessary."
Pollard led Sacramento in the opening half. Subbing for Divac,
he scored 12 points and blocked three shots, helping the Kings to a
57-48 halftime lead.
"You cant get down like that against a team like the Kings and
expect to win," Delk said. "We did a good job in the fourth
quarter, but we still gave up too many second shots."
Game notes
Delk, who played last year with the Kings, missed 9 of 11
first-half shots in his first visit to Arco Arena as a member of
the Suns. Sacramento reserves Nick Anderson (lower back strain) and
Jon Barry (wife gave birth to a baby girl Thursday morning) were
not available. Kidd played all 24 minutes of the first half,
getting eight points and seven assists. The Suns missed 17 of 23
shots in the third quarter.
|
|
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 95
Charlotte 74
Toronto 104
LA Clippers 95
Minnesota 102
Boston 98
Utah 94
Miami 92
Orlando 83
New Jersey 80
Detroit 103
Cleveland 93
New York 91
Chicago 86
Indiana 86
Vancouver 76
LA Lakers 109
San Antonio 100
Sacramento 105
Phoenix 98
|
