Martin, Artest Lead Kings Past Sonics

[March 31, 2008]  SEATTLE (AP) -- Kevin Martin scored 31 points, Ron Artest had 29 and the Sacramento Kings broke away in the final period for a 120-107 victory over the Seattle Supersonics on Sunday night.

Francisco Garcia also contributed 21 points for Sacramento (33-40), which had lost four of five.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points to lead Seattle. Jeff Green scored 21 and Earl Watson had 20.

The Sonics (17-57), with the worst record in the Western Conference, have lost 14 of their last 16 games. The Sonics also haven't beaten the Kings in Seattle since Nov. 20, 2005, a five-game losing streak.

This might have been their last shot as the team's new ownership, under Clay Bennett, is trying to set up a move to Oklahoma City, perhaps by next season. The Sonics may have only four more home games after 41 years in Seattle.

The Kings' had a 11-0 run to end the third period then a 10-2 run early in the fourth quarter to pull away.

It took the Kings nearly three quarters to lead by more than a basket. Artest's layup with 1:38 left in the third gave the Kings a 87-83 lead.

The Sonics missed their final eight shots of the third quarter.

The Sonics scored the first six points of the final period before the Kings snapped back. Coming out of a timeout, they sprinted out on a 10-2 run for a 104-91 lead with 7:47 left.

The lead changed hands seven times in the second quarter, although the Kings never led by more than two points in the half. Luke Ridnour's 20-footer with 4.7 seconds -- his lone basket of the game -- allowed the Sonics to take a 65-62 lead into the half.

Brad Miller, averaging 36 minutes and 13.6 points per game for the Kings, played just 9 1/2 minutes in the half because foul trouble.

Note: Sacramento point guard Beno Udrih (sore back) missed his six game in the past seven and rookie center Spencer Hawes rested with an injured left ankle. Hawes, averaging 3.9 points, scored a career-high 19 points March 22 against Memphis. Kings coach Reggie Theus said Hawes, who declared for the NBA last year after one season at the University of Washington, is fortunate. "I tell him, 'most 19-year-olds don't even see the floor for two or three years."

[Associated Press]

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