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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- In a game in which their high-powered
offense wasn't always functioning properly, the Sacramento Kings
relied on their newest weapon -- defense.
Chris Webber had 19 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday night as the
Kings played solid defense to cruise past the Washington Wizards
106-72.
The victory was the seventh straight at home for the Kings, who
are off to the best start in franchise history, surpassing the
1951-52 Rochester Royals.
The Kings (17-6) also have the top record in the Western
Conference.
It was the fewest points allowed by the Kings this year and the
lowest point total all season for the Wizards. Sacramento had 12
blocks and 14 steals, leading to a number of easy baskets.
"That's the type of game we have to play, our offense isn't going
to be clicking every night," said Webber, who had three blocks.
"That is the difference between this year's team and last year's
team, we play much better defense now."
It was the biggest loss for Washington since March 16, 1994,
when the Wizards fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 129-94.
"Early in the game we didn't take advantage of the shots they
were taking, they were coming down and shooting quickly," Wizards
forward Tyrone Nesby said. "We killed ourselves in this game."
After trailing early in the second quarter, the Kings went on a
17-2 run, erasing a two-point deficit to take a 42-29 lead with
3:12 remaining.
The lead remained in double digits for the rest of the game and
went over the 30-point mark early in the fourth quarter.
Vlade Divac had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Kings, who
won their third straight game. Reserve Lawrence Funderburke made
all seven of his shots and finished with a season-high 16 points,
while Doug Christie had 15 and seven rebounds.
"As bad as you can be on offense, we maintained at the other
end," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "We blocked shots and had
our hands on a lot of balls. If we keep bringing it defensively
every night, we'll be tough to beat, especially in this building."
Rod Strickland scored 13 points for Washington, which has
dropped 10 of 11 games. Tyrone Nesby added 12 points.
Washington shot 36 percent from the field, committed 23
turnovers and was horrible from the free-throw line (10-of-23).
"We had been playing well and executing, but then we reversed
back to our same old selves," Strickland said. "They got out on
the break and executed and got a lot of easy baskets."
With Washington still struggling on offense in the third
quarter, the Kings went on another run, scoring 12 straight points
to assume a 74-49 advantage with 2:17 left in the period.
Jason Williams, who went scoreless in the first half, made two
3-pointers in the run and Webber added four points for Sacramento,
which outscored Washington 27-20 in the third quarter.
Divac enjoyed a big first half, scoring 13 points. Webber had
nine points and seven rebounds in the first half for the Kings, who
outscored Washington 28-11 in the second quarter.
Game notes
Kings backup center Scot Pollard injured his ankle in the
fourth quarter and will probably miss Wednesday night's game in Seattle. ...
Washington converted just 5-of-13 free throws in the opening half.
... Kings starting guard Peja Stojakovic missed his seventh
straight game with a shoulder injury, but may be available tonight.
... Washington has lost five straight games to Sacramento.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Washington Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 103
Utah 95
Atlanta 87
New York 77
LA Lakers 81
Miami 79
Indiana 90
Chicago 85
San Antonio 86
Houston 79
Detroit 89
Phoenix 84
Golden State 120
Minnesota 99
Sacramento 106
Washington 72
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Juwan Howard Official Site
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