Webber Leads Kings Over Trail Blazers

The Sacramento Kings have altered the debate about which team is best in the West.

Chris Webber scored 34 points and converted a key layup off a missed free throw Saturday as the Kings defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-101, at Portland, Ore., in a magnificent showdown between the top teams in the Western Conference.

“It’s definitely the first time in my career that I honestly believe we can control our own destiny,” said Webber, who also had 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals.

“We want the home-court advantage. We want to show everyone that we are not just good on paper, we’re good on the floor.”

Predrag Stojakovic added 20 points for the Kings, who are on a four-game winning streak and have won 13 of 17.

Sacramento (27-10) pulled within a half-game of the Trail Blazers (30-12) in the Pacific Division, although the Kings have a better winning percentage. Only the Philadelphia 76ers (30-9) have a better record.

The Kings, who had lost nine in a row at Portland and 32 of 33, improved to 10-7 on the road. They made a season-high 55.8% of their shots.

Rasheed Wallace scored 25 points and Damon Stoudamire had 21 for the Trail Blazers, who had won three consecutive games and 13 of 14.

The Trail Blazers committed 18 turnovers, and trailed by nine point with a little more than five minutes to play. But they pulled to within 98-97 on Wallace’s three-point basket with 2:14 to play.

After Webber and Portland center Arvydas Sabonis traded long jumpers, Stojakovic hit a short jumper and got fouled. The free throw made the score 103-99 with 1:20 remaining.

Two free throws by Wallace cut the lead to two, but at the other end, Sacramento’s Hidayet Turkoglu got bumped by Steve Smith and went to the line. His first shot was good, but the second was off, and Webber outjumped Wallace for the rebound.

Webber’s layup made the score 106-101 with 51.4 seconds left. On the next possession, Wallace’s three-point try rolled out.

“Webber was just terrific,” King Coach Rick Adelman said. “I think he’s the leading candidate for MVP.”

Scottie Pippen, who sat out six consecutive games because of a sore right elbow, had two points on one-of-six shooting.

Orlando, 112, San Antonio 109--Tracy McGrady scored 38 points to lead the Magic to the overtime victory at San Antonio.

Darrell Armstrong made two free throws with 1.4 seconds left to secure the victory. Terry Porter’s three-point shot to tie went in and out for San Antonio, which lost its fourth in a row.

Tim Duncan had 29 points and 17 rebounds, while David Robinson added 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Spurs.

The Spurs’ losing streak is their longest since a six-game skid late in the 1996-97 season, when Duncan was still a senior at Wake Forest.

“Losing streaks like this never happen to us,” Duncan said. “To drop four in a row is unheard-of.”

New Jersey 123, Chicago 103--Stephon Marbury of the Nets had 33 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds at East Rutherford, N.J., for his first triple-double.

Marbury, in his fifth NBA season, achieved the triple-double with more than 7 1/2 minutes remaining. It was New Jersey’s first triple-double since Kendall Gill did it two seasons ago.

Ron Mercer scored 22 and Ron Artest had 17 for Chicago. The Bulls lost their eighth in a row.

Dallas 97, Denver 79--Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Michael Finley scored 23 points at Dallas as the Mavericks beat the Nuggets for the sixth consecutive time and the 16th time in 20 meetings.

Hubert Davis had 17 points in a reserve role for the Mavericks, who won their third in a row.

Nick Van Exel had 16 points and Voshon Lenard 13 for the Nuggets, who had won four in a row and nine of 10.