Nothing new. Just another disappointing loss to a subpar team, only this time I was there to see it. Seriously, after getting beat by the Lakers and a double OT loss to the Clippers, I thought the Kings were going to come out with more fire and not let the T'Wolves come into ARCO and beat them. Instead, Kevin Martin scores a career high and a Sacramento-era record 48 points in a regulation game, previously held by Mitch Richmond's 47 points. Chris Webber holds the record for 51 points in a game, accomplished in overtime. Ron Artest was a late scratch to the game, again.
1ST QUARTER
Here's how the game went for me. I went to the game with my dad, again. We bought our $25.50 tickets, we went to go sit in our nosebleed seats. That would change later. Ron Artest skipped his second game with a sore foot, while Antoine Walker didn't show up in the arena. When we got to our seats, the Kings were on a 9-2 start and things seemed to be right on track. Minnesota, led by Al Jefferson's 8 points, tied the game at 20. The Kings trailed 24-25 at the half.
2ND QUARTER
The Kings stayed right behind the Wolves, but the Wolves stayed on top for the quarter as they began to build their lead. From where I was sitting, it was appearent that the Kings were playing to the level of their opponent. Martin was single handedly trying to keep his team in the game, as he scored 12 of his team's 20 points in the 2nd quarter, finishing with 22-44 first half points. When Martin scores big points, it's usually silen, but that's Martin for you. Silent, but effective.
HALFTIME
Just a recap of what happened around me other than the game itself. We're sitting in are seats when a guy dressed in a suit walked up and asked if we were together. We said yes and he gave us 2 tickets to go sit in the lower level with tickets worth $89.50. So after getting a waffle cone with Dreyer's Rocky Road ice cream and Butterfinger topping, we headed to our seats. I love upgrades. Also, when the now controversial Kings Dance team came out when we were sitting at the top, a guy pulled out a pair of binoculars and his eyes were just glued to it. Everyone around him, including me, were having a good laugh about it.
3RD QUARTER
I liked our new seats. From Section 209 Row S at the very top, to Section 109 Row Q, 17 seats from the floor. So close you could yell to a player. Too bad I got a better view of 2 T'Wolves injuries. Randy Foye was the first to go down. It looked like he reaggrevated his left knee, which had a brace on it. Shortly after, Sebastian Telfair went down from what looks like an ankle injury, which could really hurt his team if he's out for a few games. Ironically, Foye subbed in for Telfair after he came out of the locker room. John Salmons had a great quarter, scoring 11 of his 15 points. He seemed to be the calvary to help Martin, but that was it for him. Brad Miller went scoreless through the game and didn't play after being pulled out. Al Jefferson helped power the T'Wolves witth his 8 points and led 71-80
4TH QUARTER
Although the Kings got to within 6 points, the Kings could never retake the lead. Coach Reggie Theus went with the line-up of Martin, Spencer Hawes, Shelden Williams, Francisco Garcia and Beno Udrih before switching Udrih with Quuincy Douby for the rest of the game. None of them would step up against Minnesota's hot bench. Martin on the other hand was amazing. Scoring a career high 48 points in 41 minutes. He scored 26 of the Kings last 45 points of the game. In the end, the Kings lost 103-111.
HIGHLIGHTS
*= Team High
**= Game High
KINGS
Martin: 48 pts**, 6 reb
Salmons: 15 pts, 7 reb, 3 stl**
Udrih: 13 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast**
Miller: 0 pts, 8 reb*, 2 stl
Hawes: 5 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 4 blk** (bench)
Williams: 4 pts, 5 reb, 2 blk (bench)
TIMBERWOLVES
Jefferson: 21 pts, 13 reb** (6 off**), 3 stl**, blk
Rashad McCants: 22 pts*, 3 stl** (bench)
Gomes: 17 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast, stl
Craig Smith: 18 pts, 3 reb, 3 blk* (bench)
Kirk Snyder: 8 pts, 3 reb, 2 blk*, stl (bench)
Foye: 7 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast*
Corey Brewer: 4 pts, 5 ast* (bench)
Telfair: 2 pts, 4 ast (injured 3rd qtr)
It's official now. Without Artest, the Kings are weak defensively and their scoring disappears. Miller's scoring was also missed, and I didn't know he didn't score for the whole game. He's been hot this year after getting Player of the Week after getting two 20 point 20 rebound performances in the same week. It was a game for players to develop, especially the young players. Martin benefitted the most while the bench just seemed lost on the court. Usually, Miller and Artest compliment Martin's scoring, with Miller averaging 14.2 PPG and Artest averaging 19.9 PPG. It was no help when Artest sat out again and Miller didn't show up on offensive.
The Kings' record is worse than it was last year at 27-35, and with games against the Lakers, Blazers and Suns coming up, it doesn't get any easier. With 20 games left the Kings will play at L.A. next against the Lakers, with 2 more meetings after that. 16 games will be against teams over .500, 13 of those games are against Western Conference playoff teams, and every team that they're facing have beat them before. Right now, they're at the equivalent of their 7 game losing streak last year, only they've lost 7 of their last 8. They have to shape up fast if they want to make it over 33 wins, because right now it looks like a good possibility that they might not get over it.
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