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Thursday, Dec. 28 10:30pm ET
Webber, Kings hold off Hornets

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The Sacramento Kings have met the challenge of owning the NBA's best record.

Doug Christie
Doug Christie spins in a reverse layup for two of his 12 points for the Kings.

Chris Webber had 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Kings beat Charlotte 91-87 Thursday night and ended the Hornets' seven-game winning streak.

It was the 13th victory in 14 home games for the Kings, whose 20-7 record is the best in the league. Sacramento leads the Los Angeles Lakers by one game in the Pacific Division.

"We have the best record in the NBA right now and we want to keep it that way," said Kings center Vlade Divac, a former Hornet who had 13 points and nine rebounds.

Divac made three straight points late in the game and grabbed some big rebounds against his former team.

"Vlade played really good the last five minutes," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "He got offensive rebounds when we needed it and made some big plays down the stretch."

With the Kings ahead 87-85, Divac made one of two free throws, then followed with a dunk to give the hosts a cushion.

"They outhustled us, they flat out made shots and we didn't," Hornets guard Baron Davis said. "They got some easy buckets down the stretch and that's not characteristic of our team."

Charlotte's Jamal Mashburn missed a 3-pointer that would have tied the game with two seconds left. Bobby Jackson got the rebound and made a free throw to secure the win.

"Someone was smiling at us, we gave them a wide-open three," Adelman said.

Peja Stojakovic had 18 points for the Kings. Doug Christie and Jason Williams each scored 12.

David Wesley had 24 points for Charlotte and Baron Davis finished with 21 points, 11 assists and six steals. Playing in his second game this year, Derrick Coleman had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

"Thats a very good ball club that found a way to win," Hornets coach Paul Silas said. "Vlade made the big play coming down the stretch and I knew he was elated to make it against us. But Im happy for Vlade, hes done a good job."

The Kings took the lead for good when Stojakovic connected on a 3-pointer with 4:19 left for an 84-83 edge.

Davis scored nine points in the third quarter. Both Mashburn and Coleman had six as the Hornets took a 70-66 lead going into the fourth.

"They came out in the third quarter and took the lead, and in the fourth quarter, we started getting to the basket," Adelman said.

Webber scored 13 points and had seven rebounds as Sacramento took a 45-41 halftime lead.

Game notes
Kings assistant Pete Carril returned to the bench for the first time since having heart surgery Nov. 28. ... Hornets starting forward Elden Campbell missed the game with an elbow injury. ... The Kings played without key reserves Scot Pollard and Hidayet Turkoglu, who are hurt. ... Wesley had 11 points in the opening period, making his first four shots from the field and converting all three free throws.


ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Charlotte Clubhouse

Sacramento Clubhouse

RECAPS
Milwaukee 107
Cleveland 89

Boston 112
New Jersey 111

Orlando 102
Detroit 96

Dallas 105
LA Clippers 96

Minnesota 88
Atlanta 81

Portland 103
Utah 102

Chicago 105
San Antonio 104

Toronto 94
Denver 93

LA Lakers 115
Phoenix 78

Sacramento 91
Charlotte 87

FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT

Baron Davis Official Site


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