Delk Scores 53, but Suns Lose to Kings

The Sacramento Kings survived 53 points by Tony Delk and Chris Webber’s ejection Tuesday night to defeat the Phoenix Suns, 121-117, in overtime at Sacramento.

Vlade Divac scored a career-high 34 points and Jason Williams had nine points in overtime for the Kings.

Sacramento somehow overcame an unbelievable performance by Delk, who was Williams’ backup last season. Delk more than doubled his previous career high of 26 points while making 20 of 27 shots and establishing an Arco Arena scoring record.

But the Kings won thanks to an unlikely combination of offense from Divac, including a game-tying layup with six seconds to play in regulation, and tenacious clutch play from Williams.

The flashy point guard is almost always yanked from the Kings’ lineup late in close games because of his poor defense. But with Coach Rick Adelman pointedly leaving the game in Williams’ hands in overtime, he made a three-point shot and a tough layup, then made four free throws in the final 14 seconds to secure the victory.

The Kings improved to 14-2 at home. Peja Stojakovic matched his career high with 33 points, though he went scoreless in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Delk, who scored 31 points after halftime and spent almost the entire game in a sort of shooter’s groove, reached his previous career high early in the third quarter and never cooled down.

His shooting accuracy was all the more unbelievable because nearly all of his shots were jumpers, and he also made 13 of 15 free throws.

Webber’s ejection only seven minutes in was the start of a bad-tempered night for both teams. Divac got a technical foul in the fourth quarter after jockeying and jawing with Phoenix’s Chris Dudley and Clifford Robinson. Rogers and Scot Pollard also drew late technical fouls.

Webber was ejected after a protracted argument with all three game officials.

Webber, the Kings’ leading scorer and rebounder, angrily confronted referee Steve Javie during an injury timeout.

It wasn’t clear what angered Webber, but Javie called one technical foul. After Webber continued his argument, referee Bennie Adams ejected him.

Indiana 91, Seattle 83--Jermaine O’Neal scored a game-high 20 points and matched a career high with 15 rebounds for the 16th double-double of his career to lead the Pacers at Seattle.

Reggie Miller, held to single-digit scoring in his last two games, scored 16 points for the Pacers.

Vin Baker, Shammond Williams and Rashard Lewis each scored 14 points for the SuperSonics, who had a five-game home winning streak ended.

Gary Payton’s streak of scoring in double figures was halted at 70. Payton, the SuperSonics’ leading scorer, made three of nine shots for six points.

San Antonio 80, Miami 72--Antonio Daniels scored 19 points at San Antonio to help the Spurs end the Heat’s five-game winning streak.

Atlanta 92, Boston 81--Jason Terry scored 32 points and Dikembe Mutombo had 19 rebounds to lead the Hawks at Atlanta.

Washington 115, Minnesota 108--Felipe Lopez scored a career-high 26 points and Chris Whitney had a career-high 13 assists at Washington as the Wizards won consecutive games for the first time since April.

Houston 100, Cleveland 95--Carlos Rogers scored a season-high 22 points for the Rockets at Cleveland.

New Jersey 120, Orlando 110--Stephon Marbury scored 30 points at Orlando, Fla., as the Nets ended a seven-game losing streak.

Milwaukee 104, Chicago 70--Glenn Robinson scored 21 points at Chicago as the Bucks scored their most lopsided victory over the Bulls.

The Bucks hadn’t defeated the Bulls so decisively since a 33-point victory March 30, 1984--before Michael Jordan arrived.