Dex
04-15-2008, 09:27 AM
Kings' effort in loss earns respect of Spurs
By Melody Gutierrez - [email protected]
Last Updated 6:04 am PDT Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
Sometimes it is what the opponents say that means the most.
The Kings kept it close Monday, earning the respect of playoff-bound San Antonio, but were unable to seal the win in the final home game of the season.
"I am really impressed with them tonight," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after his team defeated the Kings 101-98 at Arco Arena. "They are not going to the playoffs, but they played for themselves, and they played for their fans. It was a crazy game."
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The Kings wrapped up their home season with a 26-15 record while playing in front of an enthusiastic announced crowd of 15,334.
"Nothing was easy," said Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who scored a game-high 32 points and had 11 assists. "We battled hard and were lucky to pull out the win."
The defending champion Spurs, who hold the third seed in the Western Conference, won the season series against the Kings 3-1.
The Kings led by as many as six points despite playing without their top three scorers – Kevin Martin, Ron Artest and Brad Miller – who have averaged a combined 57.6 points a game this season.
"It was disappointing that we weren't able to come up with the win, but that's a championship team," said John Salmons. "We made them sweat, so I guess we can take that into the offseason as a positive note."
But not before playing the Lakers tonight in the season finale at Staples Center.
"I think we've screwed up a lot of teams' destinies and we have one more to try to do it," said rookie Spencer Hawes, who scored 17 points despite not playing much of the fourth quarter.
John Salmons led the Kings with 29 points and 10 rebounds against the Spurs, coming up big by converting a three-point play with 14.3 seconds remaining after a Francisco García steal. Salmons' free throw put the Kings within 99-98 as Tim Duncan fouled out. Duncan finished with 19 points and five rebounds.
" 'Cisco had a good steal and that kept us in the game," Salmons said.
Or at least long enough to foul Michael Finley with 11.8 seconds remaining. The guard made both free throws to give the Spurs a three-point lead.
After calling a timeout, the Kings sent the ball to García for a three-point attempt, but he missed with 8.9 seconds remaining. Salmons rebounded the ball, and the Kings passed it around until finding Quincy Douby, but the guard missed with 1.9 seconds left.
Coach Reggie Theus said he felt García was fouled on his final shot. García agreed.
"Oh yeah, he did foul me. In the head," said Garcia, who finished with 15 points and five steals. "We played good tonight. We played hard. We almost had it."
The Kings kept it close even without their three high-scoring starters. Martin missed his second game with a strained right knee, Artest sat out for a fourth time in six games with a thumb injury, and Miller has been out with a stress fracture in his left leg and a bone chip in his right elbow.
"At this point in the year, just having our guys lace them up and play this hard is just a tribute to them," Theus said. "Short-handed and making teams that have won championships really coach to the end – that's a tribute to them, our players."
By Melody Gutierrez - [email protected]
Last Updated 6:04 am PDT Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
Sometimes it is what the opponents say that means the most.
The Kings kept it close Monday, earning the respect of playoff-bound San Antonio, but were unable to seal the win in the final home game of the season.
"I am really impressed with them tonight," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after his team defeated the Kings 101-98 at Arco Arena. "They are not going to the playoffs, but they played for themselves, and they played for their fans. It was a crazy game."
Click here to find out more!
The Kings wrapped up their home season with a 26-15 record while playing in front of an enthusiastic announced crowd of 15,334.
"Nothing was easy," said Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who scored a game-high 32 points and had 11 assists. "We battled hard and were lucky to pull out the win."
The defending champion Spurs, who hold the third seed in the Western Conference, won the season series against the Kings 3-1.
The Kings led by as many as six points despite playing without their top three scorers – Kevin Martin, Ron Artest and Brad Miller – who have averaged a combined 57.6 points a game this season.
"It was disappointing that we weren't able to come up with the win, but that's a championship team," said John Salmons. "We made them sweat, so I guess we can take that into the offseason as a positive note."
But not before playing the Lakers tonight in the season finale at Staples Center.
"I think we've screwed up a lot of teams' destinies and we have one more to try to do it," said rookie Spencer Hawes, who scored 17 points despite not playing much of the fourth quarter.
John Salmons led the Kings with 29 points and 10 rebounds against the Spurs, coming up big by converting a three-point play with 14.3 seconds remaining after a Francisco García steal. Salmons' free throw put the Kings within 99-98 as Tim Duncan fouled out. Duncan finished with 19 points and five rebounds.
" 'Cisco had a good steal and that kept us in the game," Salmons said.
Or at least long enough to foul Michael Finley with 11.8 seconds remaining. The guard made both free throws to give the Spurs a three-point lead.
After calling a timeout, the Kings sent the ball to García for a three-point attempt, but he missed with 8.9 seconds remaining. Salmons rebounded the ball, and the Kings passed it around until finding Quincy Douby, but the guard missed with 1.9 seconds left.
Coach Reggie Theus said he felt García was fouled on his final shot. García agreed.
"Oh yeah, he did foul me. In the head," said Garcia, who finished with 15 points and five steals. "We played good tonight. We played hard. We almost had it."
The Kings kept it close even without their three high-scoring starters. Martin missed his second game with a strained right knee, Artest sat out for a fourth time in six games with a thumb injury, and Miller has been out with a stress fracture in his left leg and a bone chip in his right elbow.
"At this point in the year, just having our guys lace them up and play this hard is just a tribute to them," Theus said. "Short-handed and making teams that have won championships really coach to the end – that's a tribute to them, our players."