|
 Andris Biedrins had 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Warriors (47-31), who are tied with the Denver Nuggets for the eighth postseason spot in the power-packed West, where one club is certain to end up with the best record in NBA history for a non-playoff team.
The Nuggets, who beat the Clippers 117-99, visit Golden State on Thursday night for a meeting that could determine the fates of the NBA's two highest-scoring teams.
Al Harrington scored 17 points and Monta Ellis had 16 as Golden State never trailed in its third win in four games against its Northern California rivals.
The Warriors warmed up for their showdown with Denver by putting on their usual offensive theatrics against Sacramento, including a 77-point first half. Davis had 20 points and eight assists as the Warriors racked up their highest-scoring 24 minutes of the season to take a lead they maintained throughout the second half, with C.J. Watson hitting a free throw in the final minute to push the Warriors to their highest point total this season.
Francisco Garcia matched his career high with 31 points and Kevin Martin had 29
-- but just two in the fourth quarter -- for the Kings, who set their own season high for points by matching the Warriors' frenetic pace for much of an entertaining night.
John Salmons added 22 points, but Sacramento is running out of healthy players in the final five games of its second straight season out of the playoffs.
Before the game, Sacramento shut down center Brad Miller for the rest of the season with injuries in his left leg and right elbow. Ron Artest also missed the game, ruling himself out with a sprained thumb, while Beno Udrih returned to uniform after missing seven games with a strained lower back.
Warriors swingman Mickael Pietrus returned from a nine-game absence with a strained right groin. He had 10 points in 13 minutes, and he brought down the house with a soaring block of Martin's layup attempt in the final minutes
-- and he did it again with a two-handed rebound dunk moments later.
[to top of second column]
 |
Perhaps mindful of Thursday's incredibly important game, the Warriors stuck with Davis, Biedrins and three reserves for much of the final period, resting Ellis and Harrington.
Golden State, which already is assured of its best record since 1993-94, lost three of four games on a difficult road trip last week. But the Warriors, who snapped a 12-year playoff drought last spring, will finish the season with four of their last five games at home, where they've won eight of 10.
Faced with no margin for error in their playoff quest, the Warriors opened with appropriate urgency, scoring 39 points on 64 percent shooting in the first quarter. They added 38 more in the second quarter, including nine points from Ellis, who also finished with seven assists.
Notes: Kings coach Reggie Theus called a timeout 80 seconds into the game with his club down 6-0 after Mikki Moore got a technical foul for arguing. Moore eventually fouled out with just two points in 23 minutes. ... Davis and Golden State coach Don Nelson also got T's in the second quarter for arguing. ... Artest didn't play, but he drew the Golden State crowd's ire for jumping up and pumping his fist to cheer on his teammates in the final minutes. Warriors fans booed him mercilessly.
[Associated Press; By GREG BEACHAM]
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
|
