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Kings send Suns to worst loss of season
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-18 14:53
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kevin Martin scored a career-high 25 points, rookie
Francisco Garcia added career-bests of 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the
injury-depleted Sacramento Kings improbably handed the Phoenix Suns their worst
loss of the season, 119-90 on Tuesday night.
Kenny Thomas had 22 points
and 15 rebounds, and Mike Bibby added 19 before sitting out the final 10 1/2
minutes of a shockingly one-sided contest.
Brad Miller had 18 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings, who
shot and passed superbly while winning their second straight home game without
injured starters Peja Stojakovic, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Bonzi Wells.
Though the Suns are the Pacific Division's new powers, the Kings still showed
some pride in their disappointing season: Last-place Sacramento beat the
first-place Suns for the 10th time in their last 11 visits to Arco Arena.
Shawn Marion scored 25 points and Raja Bell added 19 for the Suns, who fell
behind by 24 points in a dismal first half and eventually lost in regulation for
the first time since Dec. 23 while making just 37.5 percent of their shots —
matching their worst percentage of the season.
Phoenix won nine of its last 11 to take over first place, but had none of its
usual offensive effectiveness against the Kings. Reigning MVP Steve Nash managed
just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting and eight assists for the Suns, who hadn't
lost by more than 12 points all season.
Martin, a second-year shooting guard, increased his career high for the fifth
time already this season with four 3-pointers and two impressive alley-oop dunks
on passes from Bibby and Miller. Garcia was just as impressive, hitting two 3s
and playing strong defense against Nash.
With retired center Vlade Divac watching from courtside, the Kings rolled off
an 18-4 run in the final 3:02 of the first quarter, with Bibby — who scored a
career-best 42 points in Sunday's win over Orlando — hitting two 3s in an
uptempo offense resembling the Suns' scheme.
Sacramento methodically increased its lead in the second while the Suns went
more than 6 minutes between field goals. The Kings led 65-43 after probably
their best first half of the season, earning a standing ovation from the sellout
crowd that has booed them regularly this season.
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