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Jazz defeat Kings 102-97
It the epitome of a letdown after an emotional win, the Sacramento Kings lost at home for only the fifth time all season.
Kirilenko scored the final four points for Utah, which snapped Sacramento's four-game winning streak.
Peja Stojakovic missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds, and Kirilenko made a fast-break dunk at the final buzzer.
The Kings were coming off a 103-101 victory Thursday night in Los Angeles and didn't arrive home until 4 a.m.
"No excuses," Kings center Vlade Divac said. "I respect them a lot. They have one of the best coaches in the league. They play hard."
Reserve guard Maurice Williams scored 19 points and Raja Bell came off the bench for 15.
Greg Ostertag, who had two key baskets in the final three minutes, finished with eight points and 14 rebounds.
Reminiscent of their first-round playoff series of a year ago won by the Kings 4-1, Utah played a physical game and kept Sacramento from operating its typically smooth offense.
"That's how they play, they do whatever they can to disrupt you," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "I don't agree with it. But give them credit, they come at you."
The Kings shot 38 percent and had more turnovers (18) than assists (16).
"Its not dirty the way we play, we just take them out of their rhythm," Kirilenko said. "We did a great job of that."
Mike Bibby scored 26 points, Stojakovic had 21 and Doug Christie added 17 points for the Kings, who made 39 of 51 free throws.
Stojakovic, who had 37 points against the Lakers, had just two fourth-quarter points against Utah and finished 5-of-16.
"I think their legs might have been a little shot in the fourth quarter," Bell said. "They had played a tough game last night. Peja was trying to post me up in the fourth quarter instead of running me off picks."
Following a subpar first half, Stojakovic made eight free throws in the third quarter and scored 11 points as Sacramento took a 71-68.
Bibby scored 11 first-half points, helping the Kings take a 42-40 lead.
Notes:@ Kings forward Brad Miller, who has missed the last seven games with a sprained right foot, may return Sunday against Phoenix. ... Utah's reserves combined for 59 points, while the Kings' subs had 18. |
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