SACRAMENTO, CALIF. ? It’s been more than 2 1/2 years since an Eastern Conference team other than the Bucks won in Sacramento – and until the Kings woke up for a decisive rally, Milwaukee was ready to steal another one.
Peja Stojakovic scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and the Kings surged to their fifth straight victory, 88-79 over the Bucks on Sunday night.
Stojakovic hit three 3-pointers during the Kings’ 18-2 run, but it didn’t begin until Milwaukee took a 65-58 lead with 7 1/2 minutes left in one of the NBA’s toughest road arenas. After struggling to hit open shots while scoring 34 points in the first half, the Kings rolled up 39 in the fourth quarter.
“It was just as ugly playing it as it was watching it,” said Chris Webber, who had 18 points and 14 rebounds despite 7-for-22 shooting.
“We haven’t shot the ball this season like we did in previous years, but we’re going to get it back. Believe me, shooting is the one area you can guarantee the Kings are going to get better at.”
Brad Miller scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth to keep Sacramento unbeaten at home despite three quarters of erratic shooting and a general lack of flow for both clubs.
Other than Milwaukee’s 112-101 victory at Arco Arena last season, the Kings have beaten every other East opponent they’ve hosted since March 3, 2002, going 34-1. But the way they were shooting against the Bucks, a loss seemed likely – until Stojakovic got going from the outside and Miller took over the inside.
Keith Van Horn scored 15 points before fouling out with 3:58 left for the Bucks, who lost their fourth straight. All-Star Michael Redd struggled, scoring 16 points on 6-of-22 shooting.
Milwaukee led 65-58 in the fourth before Sacramento scored 10 straight points. The Kings reclaimed the lead on Stojakovic’s third 3-pointer of the quarter with 4:39 left, and Miller scored eight consecutive points moments later as the Bucks evaporated, grabbing just five rebounds in the fourth and struggling on defense.
“As a team, when we get a lead in the second half, we need to develop more of a killer instinct,” Van Horn said. “Tonight, it was more of a combination of poor shooting and good defense.”
Darius Songaila aided the Kings’ fourth-quarter rally with six points and a key offensive rebound. After starting the season 1-4, Sacramento could complete a perfect five-game homestand Tuesday against Houston.
The Kings’ mistakes weren’t related to execution or carelessness. They just couldn’t shoot straight: Webber, Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson were a combined 11-for-41 from the field, and Doug Christie scored just eight points in 42 minutes.
“They are a very good offensive team, and they couldn’t make a shot, and we couldn’t make a shot,” Kings coach Rick Adelman said. “It just got to be like it was pulling teeth. There was no energy at either end of the court. It was just one of those games that you’ve got to keep fighting through.”
Milwaukee closed the first half on a 14-3 run, taking a 37-34 lead to halftime on five straight points by Van Horn. Both teams’ stars were awful, with Webber missing nine of his first 10 shots and Redd going 3-for-13.
“They’re at home, so they got the crowd, so they began to make shots and make plays,” Redd said. “A tip here, a tip there, our record could easily be over .500, but it’s not that way. We’re challenged with a difficult task ahead of us. We’ve got to keep playing hard.”
Notes: Kings C Greg Ostertag got his second field goal of the season on a three-point play in the second quarter. … The game was briefly delayed in the second quarter when the shot clock above Milwaukee’s basket malfunctioned. Kings coach Rick Adelman joked about it with Bucks coach Terry Porter, Adelman’s assistant two seasons ago. “Who did it? Which one of you did it?” Porter asked the Kings’ stat crew. … Milwaukee F Zaza Pachulia played 15 scoreless minutes and made two turnovers after missing the previous five games with a sore right foot.
