Kings Show Nets Power Is in West

The second-best team in the West humiliated the top team in the East.

The Sacramento Kings went on a 38-10 run bridging the first and second quarters and eventually led by as many as 42 in defeating New Jersey, 118-82, Thursday night at East Rutherford, N.J., preventing the Nets from matching the longest winning streak in franchise history -- 11 games.

It was the first home loss for the Nets since Nov. 16, when the West’s other powerhouse -- the Dallas Mavericks -- beat them by eight. That game at least was competitive, a quality this game lacked for a majority of its 48 minutes.

Peja Stojakovic scored 24 points, Mike Bibby had 23 and Chris Webber had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who won their fourth in a row to improve to 27-9.

Lucious Harris and Jason Collins scored 11 apiece for the Nets, whose home winning streak ended at 13.

Portland 90, San Antonio 87 -- Scottie Pippen and Derek Anderson scored 19 points apiece as the Trail Blazers held off the Spurs at Portland, Ore., for their 11th win in 13 games. With the score tied at 80-80, Dale Davis hit a turnaround jumper and Anderson made a layup with 1:30 left.