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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Sacramento Kings have met the
challenge of owning the NBA's best record.
|  | | Doug Christie spins in a reverse layup for two of his 12 points for the Kings. |
Chris Webber had 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Kings beat
Charlotte 91-87 Thursday night and ended the Hornets' seven-game
winning streak.
It was the 13th victory in 14 home games for the Kings, whose
20-7 record is the best in the league. Sacramento leads the Los
Angeles Lakers by one game in the Pacific Division.
"We have the best record in the NBA right now and we want to
keep it that way," said Kings center Vlade Divac, a former Hornet
who had 13 points and nine rebounds.
Divac made three straight points late in the game and grabbed
some big rebounds against his former team.
"Vlade played really good the last five minutes," Kings coach
Rick Adelman said. "He got offensive rebounds when we needed it
and made some big plays down the stretch."
With the Kings ahead 87-85, Divac made one of two free throws,
then followed with a dunk to give the hosts a cushion.
"They outhustled us, they flat out made shots and we didn't,"
Hornets guard Baron Davis said. "They got some easy buckets down
the stretch and that's not characteristic of our team."
Charlotte's Jamal Mashburn missed a 3-pointer that would have
tied the game with two seconds left. Bobby Jackson got the rebound
and made a free throw to secure the win.
"Someone was smiling at us, we gave them a wide-open three,"
Adelman said.
Peja Stojakovic had 18 points for the Kings. Doug Christie and
Jason Williams each scored 12.
David Wesley had 24 points for Charlotte and Baron Davis
finished with 21 points, 11 assists and six steals. Playing in his
second game this year, Derrick Coleman had 14 points and 10
rebounds.
"Thats a very good ball club that found a way to win," Hornets
coach Paul Silas said. "Vlade made the big play coming down the
stretch and I knew he was elated to make it against us. But Im
happy for Vlade, hes done a good job."
The Kings took the lead for good when Stojakovic connected on a
3-pointer with 4:19 left for an 84-83 edge.
Davis scored nine points in the third quarter. Both Mashburn and
Coleman had six as the Hornets took a 70-66 lead going into the
fourth.
"They came out in the third quarter and took the lead, and in
the fourth quarter, we started getting to the basket," Adelman
said.
Webber scored 13 points and had seven rebounds as Sacramento
took a 45-41 halftime lead.
Game
notes
Kings assistant Pete Carril returned to the bench for the
first time since having heart surgery Nov. 28. ... Hornets starting
forward Elden Campbell missed the game with an elbow injury. ...
The Kings played without key reserves Scot Pollard and Hidayet
Turkoglu, who are hurt. ... Wesley had 11 points in the opening
period, making his first four shots from the field and converting
all three free throws.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Charlotte Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Milwaukee 107
Cleveland 89
Boston 112
New Jersey 111
Orlando 102
Detroit 96
Dallas 105
LA Clippers 96
Minnesota 88
Atlanta 81
Portland 103
Utah 102
Chicago 105
San Antonio 104
Toronto 94
Denver 93
LA Lakers 115
Phoenix 78
Sacramento 91
Charlotte 87
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Baron Davis Official Site
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