Kings Take Edge Hornets 94-91

Former King turned King Killer Peja Stojakovic almost did it again. I was at the pre-season game in 2006 when he sank 2 free throws to seal the game in his return to Sactown. This time, the man we traded for would be the savior of the game from long range as Ron Artest would be clutch. And with John Salmons getting the start in place of the injured Kevin Martin, only quality play could come from him.

1ST QUARTER

Although the Hornets stuck first, the Kings took a 10-3 lead before the Hornets tied it at 12 points. Spencer Hawes and Salmons were carrying the team for the first quarter, combining for 15 points, but All-Star David West would be a consistent problem for the team. More than Chris Paul. West had 10 points to start, but the Kings trailed 26-27.

2ND QUARTER

Bonzi Wells came back to Sacramento with the Hornets for the first time since being traded from Houston. Although West continued to dominate the Kings with 18 points in the half, the Kings reserve power forward and 5th pick in the 2006 draft Shelden Williams would give a big push with 7 points in the quarter. Francisco Garcia would also score 7 points off of the bench to pitch in. The Hornets weren't far behind with Chris Paul dishing out 6 assists in the half and Stojakovic finishing with 10 points at halftime. The Kings regained the lead and had a 52-49 lead.

3RD QUARTER

Up to now, Paul only made 3 free throws, but he got his first field goal in the second half. West would continue to power the Hornets to a 56-64 lead on a 13-2 run. By then, Artest had enough and decided to take over. Late in the quarter, Artest drove in the lane for a huge dunk. Salmons hit a jump shot after that. It would bring the Kings close with the score 68-73.

4TH QUARTER

The Kings sparked at the very beginning with a 12-2 run to take the lead. Artest, who'd been cold from long range, hit 2 straight 3 pointers. Garcia hit an off-balance 3 pointer in front of the Hornets' bench. After that, Paul started to score, getting 6-14 points in the quarter. After Paul's last shot, Artest hit one final 3 pointer and ran down the baseline, even hitting Xzibit with a high five.

The game wasn't over yet when Garcia fouled Morris Peterson in 3 point range. Peterson made all of his free throws. Then the kings got called for a 5 second violation. Then Peja made a desperation 3 pointer. After the Salmons made a 2 free throws, Peja was given the ball and shot it with 4 seconds. Halfway down, but rimmed out. The ball bounced out of bounds towards the Kings bench as time expired and the Kings got the win, 94-91.

HIGHLIGHTS

* = Team High
** = Game High

(R) = Rookie

KINGS

Artest: 22 pts*, 8 reb, 4 ast*, 3 stl*, blk

Salmons: 18 pts, 11 reb*, 3 ast

Garcia: 16 pts, 5 reb, 3 blk**, 3 stl*, 2 ast (bench)
Hawes (R): 11 pts, 5 reb (2 off.) 3 ast, blk

Williams: 9 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast (bench)

Beno Udrih: 9 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast

Mikki Moore: 4 pts, 6 reb, ast

Quincy Douby: 5 pts, 2 ast, stl, reb (bench)

HORNETS

West: 30 pts, 15 reb, 3 ast, stl

Paul: 14 pts, 12 ast, 6 reb, 6 stl

Tyson Chandler: 13 pts, 13 reb, blk, stl, ast

Stojakovic: 18 pts. 4 reb (2 off.), stl, ast

Peterson: 8 pts, 3 reb (2 off.)

Wells: 2 pts, 2 reb (bench)

Julian Wright (R): 2 pts, reb (bench)

Jannero Pargo: 4 pts

Hilton Armstrong: 0 pts, reb, ast

Mike James: 0 pts, reb

What a great win for the Kings, especially playing without Kevin Martin and having Brad Miller out for the season. Since beating the Spurs back in November 26, the Kings are .500 (33-33). They've been through so much adversity this year that it's amazing that they're 38-42. People thought that they would land around 33 wins again, and the injuries were to assusre it. Beating the Hornets twice while in the #1 seed, that's impressive. They've really taken their role as spoiler and rearranged the Western Conference. First Houston, then Denver, and now New Orleans. They're doing their part.

The Hornets lost the #1 seed to the Lakers after they beat the Spurs today, but it looks like they can still keep homecourt adavantage if they win 1 more game. They really tried to win, but Sacramento was the better team.

Now the Kings have to face their last of their many back-to backs with a home-road series to play the Spurs for their final home game, then play the Lakers for one last time this season in L.A.