76ers Don’t Let Leaky Roof or Kings Hold Them Back in 114-111 Victory

The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t let a 40-minute delay caused by a leaky roof stop a 15-0 rally that carried them to a 114-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night behind 30 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists by Charles Barkley.

Derek Smith, formerly with the Kings, scored 12 of his 16 points in the final quarter for the 76ers, who scored the first 15 points of the fourth period, 11 before the Arco Arena sprung a leak and four after play resumed.

The game was stopped when steady drips of water fell from the ceiling of the six-month-old, $40 million arena during a light rain. Play stopped with 9:43 remaining and the Kings leading, 94-91.

Play resumed 40 minutes later after Greg Lukenbill, one of the Kings’ owners, walked out on an 18-inch wide beam 83 feet above the floor to help stretch a banner from the beam to a catwalk to prevent the water from dripping onto the court.

The 13th point of the 15-0 run gave the 76ers their first lead of the game, 96-94, and they made it 98-94 with 8:17 remaining.

Kenny Smith hit a three-point basket with 17 seconds left to cut Philadelphia’s lead to 113-111 and Barkley added a free throw.

Sacramento built its biggest lead, 79-55, with 8:45 left in the third quarter by scoring 11 straight points. Barkley had nine points in a 17-2 run in the next four minutes, reducing the margin to 81-72.