GAME 38 at Indiana, Preview & Game Thread

by Tom Ziller on Jan 19, 2008 1:24 PM PST in Game Threads

SACRAMENTO KINGS (16-22) 106.7 ORtg (#16), 110.2 DRtg (#26), 92.1 Pacer (#10)
INDIANA PACERS (18-22) 105.8 ORtg (#18), 107.1 DRtg (#13), 97.2 Pacer (# 2)
BALLHYPE | NBA.com PREVIEW | INDY CORNROWS

Last Saturday's home loss to the Pacers can be explained in one word, and everyone who saw the game knows the answer: Turnovers. Sacramento outshot Indiana from two, three and the line. The offensive and defensive rebounding situation was near dead even. The Pacers didn't protect the ball particularly well -- 17 turnovers in 97 estimated possessions is a bit terrible... but not as terrible as Sacramento's 23 turnovers in 97 possessions.

The specific culprits? Brad Miller's timing was awful; every fifth game this year (and perhaps two of three last season), it almost seems Brad's loaded at tip-off. I'm (almost) sure he doesn't hit the bottle before hitting the court, but it sometimes seems like it. His reflexes in getting the ball back door might be off a second, he might pump fake no one in particular before taking a jumper, he might switch his approach to the rim at the worst possible angle. At least he rebounds and defends well no matter how bad his offensive motor skills seem... but the Kings need that offense. (He's all that kept them in the game during last night's first quarter.)

If Sacramento can protect the ball -- and they did a marvelous job in Detroit; only Bibby had more than 2 turnovers (4 in 30 min) and he was getting mauled on the perimeter -- this is beyond a winnable game. Jermaine O'Neal looks to be out; Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy are hot... but so are Kevin Martin, Mike Bibby, Beno Udrih and (until last night) John Salmons. And this Artest guy can score too, no matter how frightful his possessions become.

Game's at 4 on -- TiVo alert -- News10. A win would put the Kings six games out of playoff contention! (Sorry.)

Go Kings.

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Comments

woot!

Six games? Ahhh, I already smell the smoked bacon of championship contention...

by iashwash on Jan 19, 2008 1:43 PM PST reply actions

Injury Notes

No O'Neal tonight!

A little scoreboard watching: Warriors at Bucks

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 19, 2008 2:00 PM PST reply actions

My Keys

TOs as always. I'd like to see us get Salmons involved early, before the big 3 come in.

Emphasize points in the paint, be it on cutters fed by Brad, drive and dish by Beno, Artest in the post or Kmart and Salmons driving off the pick, let's attack the basket. Go Kings!

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 4:02 PM PST reply actions

Well

We started off good, takin it to the hole got up by 10, then Artest and Bibby came in and started jackin up 3s and we've turned the ball over 6 times since then. Kmart started over Garcia by the way. Up 27-22 after 1.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 4:37 PM PST reply actions

Artest

Buried a three-ball at the buzzer to end first quarter. Three turnovers already for Ron-Ron.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 4:39 PM PST reply actions

Mikki Sighting

Two dunks to open the second quarter!

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 4:43 PM PST reply actions

Anyone else notice

Ron Artest passing up GOOD shots in the 1st? Kinda like he did it to spite Reggie.

by stankpalmer on Jan 19, 2008 4:52 PM PST reply actions

He's 2-7 from the field

so maybe he should pass up some more

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

Yep.

If you ain't hitting jack, why throw jack up?

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 20, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

Indiana on a 12-0 run

and we can't hit a shot. 36-31 Ind.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 4:53 PM PST reply actions

Back to back 3's

Even the Pacers' announcers notice the change between the injured Kings and the healthy Kings team.

by stankpalmer on Jan 19, 2008 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

Beno & Bibby

Playing side by side (with Miller-Artest-Kmart), and both just hit threes to put the Kings back in front. Beno leads the Kings with 12 on 5-of-6 shooting.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 4:56 PM PST reply actions

Dahntay Jones

Goes in for Bibby. Hope he plays well.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:06 PM PST reply actions

That was quick

He played a minute, got a steal and missed two shots.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:09 PM PST reply actions

Pacers feed

was riding him the whole time he was in.

"There he goes driving to the basket...cause that's all he can do"

"I'm sorry, he's not going to make those shots."

by stankpalmer on Jan 19, 2008 5:11 PM PST up reply actions

Is it me...

Or is he as bad on offense as he's good on the 'd'?

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 20, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Up by 6 at Half

17-5 run to close the half has Ron back in plus territory after being -8.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:12 PM PST reply actions

Actually

a 17-6 run. Pacers were up 36-31 at one point.

Indiana not shooting well at 33%. We're not much better at 41%. Artest is 2-for-8, both threes.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:15 PM PST reply actions

Nice start

to the 3rd. 2 steals, a Moore dunk and a Beno 3. Time out Pacers. Kings up 53-42!

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 5:27 PM PST reply actions

Sorry 1 steal

and a missed Indy shot.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 5:28 PM PST up reply actions

Mikki Dunk and a Beno 3

push the lead to 11 and the run to 22-6. Indy timeout to stop the bleeding.

Ron has been blowing kisses at the crowd again.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:27 PM PST reply actions

You know I kinda like that...

Maybe the therapy is working.

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 20, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

Another Beno 3

He leads all scorers with 18.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:30 PM PST reply actions

Pacers from 3

Just 2 for 12. Will keep watching that.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:31 PM PST reply actions

Kings 8 for 14 from 3

after Kmart hits one. 61-54.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:34 PM PST reply actions

Kings could blow them out right here

Time to step on the gas.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:35 PM PST reply actions

Kareem Rush

is keeping Pacers in the game, has four hoops in the 3rd.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:37 PM PST reply actions

Artest in for Salmons

with Kings up 5

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:38 PM PST reply actions

Mikki Playing Great

Just had a dunk and two free throws to give him 14 on the might and push the lead to 12. Kings timeout.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:43 PM PST reply actions

Kings going small

Salmons in for Miller, gives them a lineup of Mikki, Artest, Garcia, Salmons, Bibby.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:45 PM PST reply actions

not that small

Compared to our at-one-point-last-night line-up of:

Beno
Bibby
Garcia
Salmons
Miller

by iashwash on Jan 19, 2008 5:54 PM PST up reply actions

Any Lineup

with Beno and Bibby in it is going to be small. :)

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:55 PM PST up reply actions

78-69 after 3

Francisco hit a 3 after Pacers got within 6.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:51 PM PST reply actions

Mikki

Playing phenomenal. 20 points. Kings up 15.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 5:56 PM PST reply actions

Thank....

Thank God Bibby is Back!!!!!!!!

He and Beno are a nasty 1-2 combo!!!!

by Hoops916 on Jan 19, 2008 6:05 PM PST reply actions

Artest Heating Up in Crunch Time

After starting out 2-of-8, he's made three of his last four shots, including a three-pointer. He's 3 of 6 from behind the arch and the Kings are 10-of-19 from behind the line.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:08 PM PST reply actions

MIkki

Yet another dunk. He has 22. Pacers still within 11, but down to 4 minutes.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:09 PM PST reply actions

Now 8

After Granger hits a trey. 3:06 left

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:10 PM PST reply actions

Can somebody tell me

why Rant is lighting the victory cigar with 4 and a half left? They shoot threes and we make turnovers - this isn't over yet.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 19, 2008 6:11 PM PST reply actions

Lead cut to 6

Foster layup. Kings timeout. 2:54 left. We can't let this one slip away.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:11 PM PST reply actions

artest and bibby

both should have been on the bench 3 minutes ago, but Reggie is letting them go. Beno and Salmons should be in the game right now.

And because of poor substituting by Theus the Pacers have cut the lead to 6.

Beno has been much better than Bibby the entire night. Sitting him on the bench in crunch time is silly.

by Kusian on Jan 19, 2008 6:12 PM PST reply actions

Reggie heard you

But he put Salmons in for Mikki instead.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:14 PM PST up reply actions

Kings are on a roll..

This level of success is confusing... almost as confusing as having Artest and Bibby off the bench. Does that make any sense?

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Jan 19, 2008 6:12 PM PST reply actions

Time for Kmart to get to the line

That's what superstars do.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:12 PM PST reply actions

If the kings lose this game

it is on Theus. TERRIBLE COACHING!

by Kusian on Jan 19, 2008 6:15 PM PST reply actions

You know Kusian, I often agree with you, but...

If the Kings had lost, why can't it be on the players?Does the coach shoot the ball or miss the free throws?(Somehow I remember saying this when Adelman was blamed for poor play; I can't absolve the mess that was Muss, however).

I like what Beno's been doing too, but maybe the rationale in having Bibby in...in a clutch situation is to see if he REALLY is capable of handling things better than what Beno's been doing...Then if he doesn't(or can't;or won't) there is more rationale for the trade scenarios before the deadline.

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 20, 2008 2:48 PM PST up reply actions

Artest for 3?

Not a comforting feeling. Up by 4 with 2 minutes... drive to the rack!

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Jan 19, 2008 6:15 PM PST reply actions

That was quick

Beno in for Salmons.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:15 PM PST reply actions

Pacers Announcers

(while Artest has the ball)

"I like this, cause he isn't going to pass the ball"

That sure tells you a lot. The end of this game is horrible!

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 19, 2008 6:16 PM PST reply actions

Beno

Ends a 9-0 Pacers run with two free throws. Pacers timeout. Kings 101-97.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:17 PM PST reply actions

I am

officially finished defending ron artest. I'm not saying this AWFUL last few minutes is his fault, but since he's been back, as TZ said, the offense stops as soon as the ball gets in his hands. Salmons and the young guys need his minutes.. Pull the trigger!

the sacramento kings: where joel przybilla happens

by ptgloden on Jan 19, 2008 6:19 PM PST reply actions

Same thoughts

It's time to trade Artest. Lets just get it done.

Love your signature by the way.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 19, 2008 6:22 PM PST up reply actions

Crunch-time line up?

Bibby
Martin
Salmons
Artest
Miller

At least it's going to be exciting

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 19, 2008 6:20 PM PST reply actions

Kings up 4

with 36 seconds left after Brad made a pair. Salmons in for Udrih for defense.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions

15 rebounds for

the Brad man

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 6:21 PM PST reply actions

Granted

Detroit and Indy on back to back nights can't be easy on Ron, but I'd still prefer to deal him if there are true assets to be had.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 19, 2008 6:22 PM PST reply actions

Now 5

with 25 seconds left after Bibby made 1 of 2.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:22 PM PST reply actions

Still a 2 possession game

Looks good, but we're not out of the woods yet.

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Jan 19, 2008 6:23 PM PST up reply actions

Bibby better hit em both this

time

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 6:24 PM PST reply actions

And he does

kings up 4 with miller at the line

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 6:25 PM PST up reply actions

Up 6 with 12 seconds to go...

Start the celebration.

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Jan 19, 2008 6:26 PM PST reply actions

Escape

as Kings make 7 of 8 FTs with the game on the line.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:27 PM PST reply actions

It wasn't pretty

but a wins a win. 1st win of the season where we've turned it over 20 or more times.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 19, 2008 6:27 PM PST reply actions

Enjoy what it is -

A 2-1 road trip, with back to back wins against Detroit and Indy. Sweet!

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 19, 2008 6:28 PM PST reply actions

Pacers

You have to give them credit; they made a run and shot 52% in the second half. Yet the Kings hung on when it counted on a back-to-back, closed out a 2-1 road trip and get the Nets at home in three days.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 6:30 PM PST reply actions

Another

close game

by kingme on Jan 19, 2008 6:32 PM PST reply actions

Wait... what?

Did the Kings really just win a back to back on the road? Impossible!

It really is hard for me to imagine them doing that, especially after they played amazing ball yesterday, you'd expect them to regress back into craptitude and lose this one, which they tried really hard to do.

by vfettke on Jan 19, 2008 7:40 PM PST reply actions

Beno and Bibby

I like them on the floor at the same time. (Obviously, the match ups defensively need to make sense.) Beno is simply a much better distributor of the ball - a better PG. Bibby still is an excellent spot-out, set shooter. Still, the fact that Theus left him on the bench during much of the 4th while Beno sat was a coaching mistake. Glad to see he corrected himself before we lost the game.

p.s. Theus has to find a way to use Salmons on offense. He's disappeared since Artest and Martin returned. The guy is to good on offense to waste.

by Kusian on Jan 19, 2008 7:41 PM PST reply actions

It's Artest's fault

If we get rid of the crazy man for a fairly decent 4, Salmons can have Ron's minutes, which he'll use for some good. Salmons has been scoring more points more efficiently than Ron, so to me he's much more valuable. He just needs to go. Period.

by vfettke on Jan 19, 2008 7:56 PM PST up reply actions

Would you believe...

Artest attempted more threes than Martin and Bibby combined?

Artest had the second most minutes?

Artest had six turnovers?

Even giving him the benefit of the doubt and saying that he was a little jumpy being back at Conseco for the first time in 2 years, and, of course, being in Detroit last night was emotional, this is getting real old real fast.

Two questions: Why didn't Theus bench him for his screaming fit last night? And did anyone watching the Pacers feed on League Pass see Theus before the game telling someone to get off the phone? Was that one of the players?

Don't make me come in there!

by LeaguePassAddict on Jan 19, 2008 8:29 PM PST up reply actions

Yup

I did see that on league pass, but I thought he was yelling a fan for talking sh*t.

That being said, I also expcted shortened minutes for the outburst. Ron is the anti-Martin; he gets good results, but is totally innefecient.

I am happy we won, but I gained no confidence in doing so.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 19, 2008 9:58 PM PST up reply actions

Yes.

I've thoght for years that Bibby is really a 2 with ball-handling skills.He's often looking to score more than distribute the ball.As for Ron, maybe what I said about Dauntey Jones applies:One would certainly not call him offensively efficient.Too bad.He'd be a much better player if he was less selfish on the offensive end.

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 20, 2008 2:54 PM PST up reply actions

BOOK IT!

Nice win tonight against Indiana. The Pacers made a hell of a run but the Kings were able to BOOK IT!! down the stretch with Brad Miller free throws.

A good night for all the Kings men tonight and thankfully, I'll be able to watch the Kings and the Nets when the NBA has free NBA League Pass.

GO KINGS... We're down but not out. This season is still 43 games or so short and only 6.5 games out despite a Golden State victory.

I'm looking for the Blazers, Lakers, Hornets to come down to earth a little bit.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 19, 2008 8:20 PM PST reply actions

I'd be willing to let artest go for...

the willingness to take kenny thomas with him, in return we recieve someone that can play the 4.

by dkons21 on Jan 19, 2008 8:35 PM PST reply actions

How About Martin?

I don't see anyone taking Martin to task, and he all but disappeared at crunch time.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 10:29 PM PST reply actions

yah but

Its not like he kept passing the ball, he just never got it. I feel like. Both Mike and Ron know Martin is better, so they condtantyl try to prove themselves. Neither of them will pass to Martin in a cltuch situation. They either iso or run a two man game with Miller

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 19, 2008 10:46 PM PST up reply actions

Martin

>>Its not like he kept passing the ball, he just never got it.<<

Maybe he should go get it, instead of turning into "Little Kevie" just because the veterans have returned. He's the man now; it's time he started acting like it.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 20, 2008 2:51 AM PST up reply actions

You

Can't be serious?... You really think the reason why Martin didnt get the ball late was because Bibby and Artest are trying to prove themselves??
Its basketball not a damn soap-opera!

by Hoops916 on Jan 20, 2008 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

Agreed

"It's basketball not a damn soap-opera!" - From your keyboard to Ron's ears, I pray.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 20, 2008 9:51 AM PST up reply actions

Basketball does not exist in a vacuum

Human frailties do not just disappear when you get on the court.

by thelettere on Jan 20, 2008 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

I am serious

As a former division 1 collegiate athlete, I KNOW that stuff like that plays in to the game. Watch the last possession of the game, Bibby could have passed to an unguarded Martin, but instead he just waited to get fouled.
I am not trying to make everything dramatic like a soap-opera, but doesn't the fight for alpha status remind you of Peja and Webber in '04?
I also completely agree that Kevin has to step up and start demanding the ball. I look forward to the game where he starts yelling at Ron or Mike to give him the ball.

Wait....Why is everybody clapping? Everyone around me is clapping.... I guess I should be clapping too... GO LAKERS!!! I hate living in So Cal

by 27freethrows on Jan 20, 2008 3:36 PM PST up reply actions

The Take From Indy

http://www.indycornrows.com/story/2008/1/19/234919/897

by coolcatreportdotcom on Jan 19, 2008 10:38 PM PST reply actions

Some interesting comments

"Ronnie Artest came off the bench along with Mike Bibby for the Kings tonight. Artest had some good moments, but when he dominates the ball the Kings are in trouble. When the Pacers were able to keep Udrih or Bibby from bringing the ball up, leaving it in Artest's hands, good things happened for the Pacers. Ronnie hit some key shots, but the Kings have to have him get those shots in the flow of their offense. When he's holding the ball and "creating" it usually creates problems.

Now I know why the Kings are shopping Mike Bibby. Beno Udrih is quite nice. He can shoot it and create in the lane. I'm glad I was able to see him play a good game. Not so glad that game was against the Pacers.

Mikki Moore was ready for the small ball lineup from the Pacers. He was suddenly a monster inside with Dunleavy and Granger on him."

From Indycornrows

Interesting to see that our complaints about Artest are obvious to a one game observer.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 20, 2008 1:47 AM PST up reply actions

Senor Rows

is a veteran Artest observer.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jan 20, 2008 2:04 AM PST up reply actions

I meant

one game this season. Obviously he saw Artest when he was in Indy, but I don't think his comments in any way indicated that he was speaking about past performances. He was commenting on Artest's play in this game.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 20, 2008 6:40 AM PST up reply actions

Yes you are correct

I've seen posts where he has mentioned his personal "like" for the guy or something along those lines. I think his post was one of "I could see why some people at StR are saying trade him". But, technically you are certainly correct.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jan 20, 2008 12:01 PM PST up reply actions

Some interesting comments

The same could be said for John Salmons. They both have a tendency to press the issue when driving or posting. Both of them need to learn more the art of passing when dribbling into a double or triple team.

by KingsFan on Jan 20, 2008 9:25 AM PST up reply actions