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Wednesday, Dec. 29 10:00pm ET
Webber wipes out Sonics with 31 points | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SEATTLE (AP) -- Chris Webber and the Sacramento Kings rediscovered their winning ways on the road by running into the floundering Seattle SuperSonics. Webber had 31 points and 10 rebounds as the Kings handed the Sonics their fifth straight loss, 113-104 Wednesday night. "When you play a team with Gary Payton and they have lost four in a row, you're not supposed to win the fifth," Webber said. "The importance of this win can not be underestimated." The Kings snapped their own four-game road losing streak and won for the fourth time in the last five games overall. Kings coach Rick Adelman said his team countered every Sonics run, a trait missing in their recent road action. "We had an answer every time they came back at us," Adelman said. Darrick Martin stepped in for the ailing Jason Williams and scored 21 points with seven assists. "Any time I get big minutes on the floor my game flourishes," Martin said. Martin has a history of success against the Sonics. He had a 31-point performance against Seattle when he played with the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 23, 1997. Payton led the Sonics with 25 points on 11-for-30 shooting. Payton missed his first six shots and didn't score a point until there was 4:30 left in the first half. Brent Barry had a season-high 24 points and Vin Baker added 22 points. Westphal was pleased with Baker, who has struggled offensively in recent games. "I thought he played a really good game," Westphal said. "He was lively and into it." The Sonics have five days off before playing 13 of their next 21 games on the road. In a somber lockerroom, the Sonics contemplated what has happened to their fast start. "Adversity tests one's true character," Chuck Person said. "We're going to find out what kind of character this team has." Webber began a game-breaking 10-2 run with a jump hook to put the Kings ahead 89-87 with 8:09 left. The Sonics came no closer than four points the rest of the way. The Kings got big production from their reserves, with Predrag Stojakovic and Lawrence Funderburke scoring 14 points each. The duo combined for 23 of the Kings' 33 points in the fourth quarter. Sacramento won for the first time on the road since a 109-106 victory over Vancouver on Dec. 15. Webber was 10-for-17 from the field and 10-for-12 from the line. The officiating crew of Joe Forte, Mark Wunderlich and Derrick Collins whistled five technical fouls. There were four on Sacramento and one on the Sonics. The Sonics tried to foul their way back into the game late in the game, but the Kings made 16 of 18 free throws in the fourth period. Jon Barry, Brent Barry's older brother, had 14 points and six assists in 25 minutes for the Kings. Game notesSeattle's Vernon Maxwell was not in uniform because of a sore right knee. ... Brent Barry was called for a flagrant foul when he fouled his older brother on a breakaway with 11:43 to go in the second period. "I'll get him when he we get home tonight," Jon Barry said. ...The Sonics made their first six shots of the game but then made one of their next 17. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Sacramento Clubhouse Seattle Clubhouse RECAPS Indiana 116 Atlanta 89
Sacramento 113
Philadelphia 97
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