Basketball Betting

Wizards surge past Kings

Basketball Betting Lines

12/22/2006 - Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Antawn Jamison, Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler combined for 37 of Washington's 44 third-quarter points, as the Wizards rallied for a 126-119 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Jamison had 33 points, 13 rebounds and four steals, while Arenas tallied 30 points, eight boards and seven assists. Butler added 23 points and 10 rebounds, as Washington won for the seventh time in its last nine games. The Wizards have won four of their last five on the road after dropping their first eight away games of the year.

"Antawn Jamison got hot in the second half and that was the main difference for us," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "Our defense was better as well in the second half even though they still shot 49 percent, but we forced some turnovers."

Kevin Martin posted a career-best 40 points for the Kings, who have lost three in a row and nine of their last 11 contests.

John Salmons replaced an ailing Ron Artest in the Sacramento lineup and had 23 points in a losing cause. Artest missed the game because of sore knees.

"Washington's a ball club that can put points up in a hurry and they did that in the third quarter," Kings coach Eric Musselman said. "They hit their threes in the third quarter."

Down by six points at the half, the Wizards took the game over by outscoring the Kings, 44-24, in the third.

Eight straight points gave Washington the lead. Jamison's three finished the flurry for a 71-66 score with 7:46 left in the third. Another shot from beyond the arc from Jamison moved the margin to 92-77 and the Wizards held a 97-83 cushion going into the fourth.

The Kings couldn't get closer than six the rest of the way.

Brendan Haywood totaled 12 points and 14 rebounds for Washington.

Brad Miller had 19 points and nine boards for Sacramento, which now has the tough task of traveling to Denver Friday to play the Nuggets and possibly face new acquisition Allen Iverson. Not only that, but the Kings have to make what could be a rough trip, considering Denver was dumped on by two feet of snow and the conditions caused the Nuggets to postpone Wednesday's game with Phoenix.

"It will probably be a first experience for a lot of our guys, traveling the day of the game," Musselman said. "It will not be new to a lot of us though that did it in the minors. You've got to when they tell you to play and no excuses. You just get in on the flight, grab something to eat and then go to the arena and play."

The Wizards scored the game's first five points, but the Kings used a 12-0 run later in the period to take the lead. Two consecutive layups by Salmons capped the burst, making the score 24-15. Sacramento led 31-24 going into the second.

Washington fell behind by as many as 10 in the next quarter, the last time at 56-46 following a Mike Bibby jumper with 1:46 left in the period. Sacramento was still on top 59-53 at the break.

Game Notes

Washington has won three straight meetings. The Wizards have a rare two-game winning streak at Sacramento, as they snapped a seven-game series road skid last March 28...DeShawn Stevenson had 11 points and Antonio Daniels 10 for the Wizards...Corliss Willamson (17) and Bibby (11) were the other double figure scorers for the Kings...Salmons'23 points tied a career-high.