Kings Need Overtime but Defeat Jazz Again

Sacramento has picked up a few things since losing to Utah in the opening round of the 1999 playoffs.

The Kings continued to dominate the Jazz despite blowing a six-point lead at the end of regulation and held on for a 108-105 overtime win Friday at Salt Lake City, Sacramento’s sixth victory in the last seven regular-season meetings against Utah.

“They broke our hearts in the playoffs that first time,” said Chris Webber, who had 24 points and 15 rebounds Friday. “We learned a lot from this team. We studied this team and in many ways we imitate this team. We just try to be as professional as they are.”

Peja Stojakovic scored seven of his 19 points in overtime for the Kings, who also knocked Utah out of the playoffs in the first round last spring. Mike Bibby scored 24 points, including four straight free throws in the final 18.2 seconds that sealed it.

The Kings, who swept the Jazz last season, shot 53% from the field and were three for five in overtime.

Karl Malone led the Jazz with 25 points, but scored only two points after forcing overtime on two free throws with 4.7 seconds left. John Stockton added 20 points and 10 assists for Utah, which took 15 shots in overtime but made only four.

Philadelphia 108, Seattle 99 -- Allen Iverson scored 40 points to help the 76ers win at Seattle, giving Philadelphia its 11th win in 12 games since the All-Star break. Iverson scored 14 points in the third quarter when Philadelphia pushed the lead to 19.

Milwaukee 85, Washington 82 -- Sam Cassell scored 24 points and Gary Payton had 18 to help the Bucks win at Washington and win the season series, 2-1. Michael Jordan had 27 points and nine rebounds for the Wizards.

Dallas 91, Miami 89 -- Steve Nash scored 22 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 21 as the Mavericks held off a late rally and won at Dallas. The victory wasn’t secure until Malik Allen’s 18-foot shot rimmed out as time expired.

New York 111, Orlando 102 -- Latrell Sprewell scored 13 of his 33 points in the third quarter and the Knicks won at Orlando, Fla., beating the Magic for the second time in a week. Tracy McGrady scored 37 points for the Magic, which learned before the game that forward Grant Hill, sidelined since mid-January with a sore left ankle, will probably not return this season.

New Orleans 102, Cleveland 76 -- Jamaal Magloire scored 20 points as the Hornets won at New Orleans and dealt Cleveland its fifth straight loss. Cleveland has lost 11 of 12 games and 12 straight on the road.