Webber’s Play Does the Talking

Two days after his tirade against the local media, Chris Webber spoke volumes with his play.

Webber, who is boycotting the media because of an article regarding his personal life, had 20 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to their 20th straight home victory, a 109-93 win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday at Sacramento.

Peja Stojakovic scored 21 points and Mike Bibby had 20 as Sacramento improved its league-best record to 39-12.

The Kings made 14 of 27 from the field and scored 36 points in the third quarter, matching a season high for the period. Sacramento led by as many as 26 points in the quarter and held an 83-59 lead after three quarters.

“They controlled the tempo,” said Michael Jordan, who had 16 points and made only six of 18 from the field. “We made some crucial turnovers in the second quarter that ignited their transition. When it gets that kind of game, we just can’t compete.”

The Kings, who won their second consecutive since a 108-101 loss to Washington last week, have not lost to the same team twice this season.

The Wizards lost their second straight after winning their previous five. Richard Hamilton had 20 points and Christian Laettner had 14 points and 11 rebounds in his second game back from a bruised right thigh.

The Kings are within three wins of the franchise record for consecutive home victories set by the Rochester Royals in 1949-50.

The Kings, 27-1 at home, missed nine of their first 10 shots and trailed 13-4 early. Washington made six of its first nine shots before the Kings rallied.

Detroit 85, New Jersey 80--Jerry Stackhouse scored 22 points, including six points and a steal during a 10-2 run in the final 2:37 that sealed the win for the Pistons at East Rutherford, N.J. Keith Van Horn had 26 points for New Jersey, but he missed two free throws with 15.1 seconds remaining and the Nets down three. Net forward Kenyon Martin missed the second half after re-injuring his right forearm.

Utah 98, Philadelphia 91--Karl Malone had 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Jazz, which opened an 18-point lead in the third quarter and was not threatened at Philadelphia. Allen Iverson scored 34 points on nine-of-27 shooting for the 76ers. He missed his first six shots and 11 of his first 12. Utah’s Greg Ostertag returned after serving a one-game suspension imposed by Coach Jerry Sloan.

Denver 100, Memphis 85--Raef LaFrentz had 23 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots and the Nuggets had a 19-2 run in the fourth quarter to take control at Memphis, Tenn. Lorenzen Wright scored 20 points for the Grizzlies in his first game since Dec. 6.