Photo Kings fall to Wizards

By Ben Schneider

January 16, 2010
Sacramento Kings' Jon Brockman (40) shoots as Washington Wizards' Andray Blatche, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, in Washington. The Wizards won 96-86. (AP Photo)
 



Antawn Jamison ended with 14 points and nine rebounds, and Washington snapped a four-game slide with a 96-86 victory over Sacramento.

Caron Butler added 19 points and six boards, while Earl Boykins and Nick Young provided 13 and 12 points, respectively, off the bench for the Wizards, who found out Friday that suspended guard Gilbert Arenas will face sentencing on March 26 after entering a guilty plea to a felony gun possession charge.

Kevin Martin posted 23 points on 6-of-17 shooting, and Tyreke Evans notched 21 points, seven assists and six boards for the Kings, who have lost three straight.

Sacramento trailed throughout the final quarter but was within 85-82 when Martin missed a potential tying three-pointer near the three-minute mark.

Young hit a free throw and Jamison made two more after Beno Udrih's running layup cut the Kings deficit to two.

After Martin's missed fallaway, Jamison sank an 18-footer for a 90-84 lead with 53.9 seconds left. The Kings never threatened in the final minute.

Sacramento led 23-22 after 12 minutes of action, but trailed 48-44 at the break thanks to DeShawn Stevenson's late three-pointer.

It was still a four-point game, 70-66, heading to the fourth.

The Kings have lost nine of the last 10 meetings with the Wizards and five straight at the Verizon Center...Washington made 47.5 percent of its shots from the floor, compared to 37.3 percent for the Kings, who received 11 points from Spencer Hawes...Brandan Haywood logged 10 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.

The game opened a six-game homestand for the Wizards. With the wear and tear of a cramped week plus the Arenas saga, Saunders is giving the players Sunday off—even though they play again Monday in a holiday matinee.

 

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