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Wednesday, Jan. 25
7:30pm
TV: NBALP, MSG
Radio: ESPN 1050
Kings and Knicks enter clash with question marks
Preview:NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Sacramento Kings and the New York Knicks both have uncertainties regarding key players entering Wednesday's matchup.
The Kings had agreed to trade three-time All-Star Peja Stojakovic, who can become free agent at the end of the season, to Indiana for enigmatic forward Ron Artest. However, Artest informed both teams that he did not want to go to Sacramento and the Kings rescinded the trade.
Stojakovic was told by the Kings to remain at their hotel in Philadelphia. He was listed as active but did not play in Sacramento's 109-103 loss, arriving at the Wachovia Center in the second half.
Mike Bibby scored a career-high 44 points, eclipsing his previous best of 42, which he set just 10 days before against Orlando.
New York hopes that it can welcome back star Stephon Marbury, who has missed the last three games because of a shoulder injury. His return would be a welcomed sight to the Knicks, who have lost five in a row following their season-best six game winning streak.
Rookie Channing Frye scored 18 points off the bench but it was not enough as New York dropped a 109-98 home contest against New Orleans.
Frye scored 19 points as the Knicks won for the first time under coach Larry Brown as they recorded a 105-95 victory in Sacramento on November 13. Stojakovic scored 31 points in the loss.
FINAL SCORE
Knicks - 102
Kings - 106
boxscore
Bibby, Miller Lift Kings Past Slumping Knicks
Recap:NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Sacramento Kings found a team with more problems than them.
Mike Bibby had 35 points and 10 assists and Brad Miller totaled 25 and 15 rebounds as the Kings rallied around each other for a 106-102 victory over the New York Knicks, who have lost six straight games.
Kevin Martin added 21 points for the Kings, who snapped a three-game losing streak hours after officially acquiring talented but troubled forward Ron Artest from the Indiana Pacers for Peja Stojakovic.
It has been a rough season for the Kings (18-24), who are in last place in the Pacific Division and are on pace to miss the playoffs for the first time since 1998. While trying to incorporate new players, they have been hit hard by injuries.
After spending Tuesday going back and forth on the acquisition of the temperamental Artest and losing to Philadelphia, Sacramento - playing for ther fourth time in five nights - bounced back to win for the first time on its six-game road trip.
Miller had a chance to win the game in regulation but split a pair of free throws with 1.3 seconds left, barely bouncing in the second.
New York's Qyntel Woods opened overtime with a 3-pointer, but Bibby answered with a pair of jumpers, then found Kenny Thomas for a three-point play. Miller's two free throws made it 98-92 with with 1:28 left.
