Photo Sonics finish off Kings

By Joe Cronin and Ken Gimblin

May 4, 2005
Seattle SuperSonics Jerome James wears a plastic garbage bag as a cape as he celebrates the Sonics 122-118 win over the Sacramento Kings Tuesday, May 3, 2005, in Game 5 of the first round Western Conference playoff at KeyArena in Seattle. The win will allow the Sonics to advance to the next round of the playoffs. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
 



The Sacramento Kings were beaten by the Seattle Super Sonics in Game 5 of the first round of the NBA playoffs 122-118 at Key Arena in Seattle, so that means that the Super Sonics win the series 4-1.

It's expected that the No. 3 seed could beat No. 6, but it's just the Kings didnt quite seem good enough in this series. Not only that, they didn't have their best game in the fourth quarter in losing in the first round for the first time since 2000.

However, Tuesday night at Key Arena Peja Stojackovic scored 38 points, Mike Bibby had 33, and the Kings really played well enough to win, but didn't rebound. The season ends for Sacramento, a most remarkable season. The team character has mostly changed, and the Kings still managed to win 50 games.

Offensively, the Kings squandered oppourtunities, but it was the boards that made the difference. The game had very little defense and the Kings were shooting very well.

At halftime, Seattle was up 60-57. At the end of the third quarter, Sacramento had a 93-90 lead, but the Kings could only manage 25 points in the fourth quarter and the SuperSonics got 32.

Sacramento's Cuttino Mobley was injured in the second quarter and didn't come back.

On balance, you would have to say this was a very sucessful season for the Kings. Going into next season, there won't be too many changes. The big problem is the Kings are one big guy short and it's not impossible to fill that need.

The Kings' Maurice Evans guarded Ray Allen of the Sonics and did a very good job Tuesday night. In closing, the Kings look like a team, a very good team, that's in transition.

With some minor adjustments, additions, and subtractions, next season should be very successful for the Kings. Kings general manager Geoff Petrie is poised to make a few moves.

Ken Gimblin and Joe Cronin conclude their coverage of the 2004-05 Sacramento Kings. Join them behind the mic when they host Sportstalk on 1430 KVVN San Jose and 1110 KLIB Sacramento weekends.

 

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