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  Tuesday, Dec. 21 10:30pm ET
Kings grab much-needed win
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Jason Williams picked an appropriate time to deliver a career-high in points.

The Kings flashy point guard scored 28 points as the Sacramento Kings snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 108-95.

Sacramento had been in a funk for two weeks, losing eight of 12 games and hardly resembling the team that started the season with a 9-1 record.

"We were really in need of a win, we needed to come out tonight and play hard for 48 minutes," said Williams, who also added six assists and five rebounds.

Williams has struggled recently against some of the league's premier point guards. That wasn't the case against Milwaukee. Although he missed eight of 11 3-point attempts, he went 12-of-25 overall and connected on his only free throw.

More importantly, he was penetrating consistently and helping the Kings get some easy opportunities.

"I thought Jason played really well," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "He was getting in the middle of the lane a lot and kicking it out. When he does that, it really breaks down the defense."

The Kings closed the first quarter with a 14-4 run, taking a 34-23 lead, and never let the margin dip under double figures.

Sam Cassell scored 20 points for the Bucks, who had won three of their pevious four games. Glenn Robinson added 19 points and Ray Allen had 12.

"I thought we played tired, it was the least quickness we've had on the court," Bucks coach George Karl said. "They are a team that has been embarrassed and hungry. They are talented and wanted to come out and prove themselves, reassert themselves."

Playing without Chris Webber, who missed a second straight game with a strained neck, the Kings had plenty of contributors.

Predrag Stojakovic scored 19 points and Corliss Williamson had 17 points and eight rebounds. Vlade Divac added 13 points and 12 rebounds and Scot Pollard also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Williams, a second-year point guard, surpassed his previous career-high of 27 set against Minnesota on April 23, 1999.

"Everyone was on the same page tonight," Divac said. "We played hard and we kept it up the whole game."

After leading by 15 points at halftime, the Kings used a 13-2 run midway through the third quarter to take an 80-57 lead.

"They came out and made some big shots, they had rebounds and had the momentum basically the whole game," RObinson said.

Williams, Williamson and Scot Pollard all had six points in the third quarter, helping Sacramento assume an 87-67 lead.

The Kings had it going offensively in the first half, shooting 55 percent and leading 61-46.

Williams made a pair of 3-pointers and had 15 first-half points for Sacramento. Stojakovic had 10 points and Williamson added 9.

Cassell scored 14 first-half points for the Bucks and Robinson had 12.

Game notes
Allen missed 12 of 15 shots in the first half. ... Stojakovic scored eight straight points in the second quarter, starting the run with two 3-pointers. ... Kings reserve guard Jon Barry was activated after missing the previous nine games. ... The Bucks are 7-7 on the road this year.

 


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RECAPS
Indiana 113
Seattle 103

Toronto 116
New Jersey 87

Washington 97
Detroit 83

San Antonio 91
Phoenix 90

Portland 89
Houston 79

Sacramento 108
Milwaukee 95