Sports Radio Service


		Kings can even series Sunday at ARCO By Joe Cronin and Ken Gimblin April 30, 2005
	Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby, center, drives to the basket between Seattle SuperSonics' Rashard Lewis, left, and Jerome James, during the first quarter of Game 3 in their first-round Western Conference playoff series Friday, April 29, 2005, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
	SACRAMENTO - The Sacramento Kings cut the visiting Seattle Supersonics' series lead to 2-1 Friday night at ARCO Arena with a 116-104 victory in Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Kings were led by Mike Bibby, who put away 31 points on 11-for-21 shooting to go with seven rebounds and four assists. Seattle was led by Ray Allen's 33 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Kings never trailed in the game as they took a 54-45 lead into the dressing room at halftime. The Sonics tried to fight back several times, but never could outscore the hot-handed Kings on the home floor. Sacramento outscored the Sonics in each of the four quarters. Allen averaged 23.9 points during the regular season and outdid himself Friday night, but it wasn't enough. Jerome James also contributed with 22 points and nine rebounds before fouling out. The Kings put their hopes on Bibby due to a number of injuries during the regular season which the club sustained in the last few weeks. Bibby knew the weight was heavy for him to perform if the Kings plan to advance to the second round. Bibby delivered with eight points in the fourth quarter just to show that he can take it all on himself. The Kings also picked up offensive help from Kenny Thomas and Cuttino Mobley. Thomas netted 22 points and Mobley had 21, playoff career highs for both. Thomas and Mobley will also be relied on by coach Rick Adelman and their teammates Sunday night in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff on TNT. The Kings can even things up before setting sail back to Seattle for a Game 4 thrill Tuesday night at Key Arena. If Sacramento loses on Sunday, they will have their backs to the wall and the Sonics could easily move in for the kill with a Tuesday night home court advantage. Ken Gimblin and Joe Cronin will be covering the Sonics-Kings Playoff match up in this first round of the playoffs. Catch both of their commentaries on the NBA Playoffs on 1430 KVVN San Jose and 1110 KLIB Sacramento.