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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- With his parents sitting in the front
row, Chris Webber was on his best behavior.
|  | | Vlade Divac and Chris Webber embraced near the end of their win over Seattle. The Kings' duo combined for 39 points and 21 rebounds. |
Webber had 23 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots as the
Sacramento Kings overcame a fourth-quarter deficit and improved the
NBA's best record to 19-7 with a 97-92 victory over the Seattle
SuperSonics on Saturday night.
Despite a 7-for-20 night from the field, Webber pushed the Kings
to their eighth straight home victory with several short shots and
free throws down the stretch. He capped the night with a pretty
alley-oop slam on a pass by Vlade Divac with 2:37 to play.
"I just couldn't make a shot from outside, so I tried to go to
the hole," Webber said. "I was trying to play fundamental
basketball, because I didn't want my dad to be embarrassed of me."
Webber's family, who watched the game from the owners' seats in
the front row, arrived in Sacramento just in time to see the Kings
cement their spot atop the Pacific Division and the NBA.
Playing their fourth game in five nights, the Kings improved on
the team's best start since 1951-52, when the Rochester Royals also
went 19-7.
"I've never been in this position in my career, so it's very
nice," Divac said. "It's good to get to the holidays and have
everybody chasing you."
Divac, recently criticized by his teammates for poor play, had
16 points and 10 rebounds as Sacramento ended the game on a 22-11
run despite shooting 27 percent in the fourth quarter.
Though they faded down the stretch by missing easy shots and
making several of their 18 turnovers, the Sonics were extremely
critical of the officiating. Sacramento shot 38 free throws, while
Seattle got just 12.
"Unbelievable. How can it be that lopsided when we have guys
attacking the rim just as much as they are?" asked Seattle coach
Nate McMillan, who's 9-4 since taking over for Paul Westphal.
"They had one player (Webber) shoot more free throws (13) than our
entire team. You can't play when it's like that."
Vin Baker had 20 points but missed a 3-pointer and committed a
critical basket interference in the final two minutes as Seattle's
five-game winning streak was snapped. Gary Payton had 20 points and
nine assists, while Rashard Lewis had 18 points and 14 rebounds.
"I feel like we got a lot of bad calls," Baker said. "I don't
want to say too much, but 38-12 is a discrepancy that should never
happen when two teams are battling it out like that."
The Kings led through most of the first three quarters, but an
18-4 run capped by Lewis' breakaway layup with 8:47 left put the
Sonics up by six. Sacramento then made a 13-4 run keyed by big
buckets from Webber and Jon Barry.
The Kings improved to 12-1 at Arco Arena this season.
The game was the second in four days between the teams, whose
starting power forwards have a bitter ongoing feud. But apart from
a few stares, Webber and Baker didn't tangle on Saturday night, and
Baker made it through a game against the Kings without being thrown
out for the first time this season.
"It doesn't occupy any space in my mind, unless you guys
(media) ask about it," Webber said.
Baker returned to the starting lineup for the second straight
game with Jelani McCoy out of action with a sprained left knee.
Baker and Patrick Ewing, who had eight points while playing with
foul trouble, had most of their success when Webber and Divac were
on the bench.
After playing six of its last seven on the road, Sacramento
began a season-long seven-game homestand. All seven of the Kings'
opponents during the stand have winning records.
Game notes
Every member of Seattle's starting lineup made at least
three turnovers. ... Referee Bill Kennedy had a quick whistle,
calling Divac and Seattle coach Nate McMillan for technical fouls
no more than two seconds after they began arguments. Meanwhile,
Payton kept up a steady stream of complaints but didn't get a
technical. ... The Arco Arena crowd booed Baker every time he
touched the ball in the first half. A sign in the stands read:
"Vin, I'll meet you after the game!" Webber and Baker had a brief
altercation in a hallway after Seattle's last visit to Sacramento.
... Seattle had beaten Sacramento in three of their last four
meetings.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Atlanta 91
Indiana 87
Charlotte 88
San Antonio 84
Detroit 106
Chicago 93
Miami 86
New Jersey 80
Orlando 111
Cleveland 92
Utah 98
Minnesota 92
Golden State 95
Houston 87
Milwaukee 104
Boston 99
Phoenix 102
Denver 93
Portland 87
Washington 70
LA Clippers 92
Vancouver 90
Sacramento 97
Seattle 92
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Rashard Lewis makes a steal and passes ahead to Brent Barry for the hoop.
avi: 745 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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