Artest super as Kings beat Sonics

Mike Bibby added 30 points and dished out eight assists for the Kings, who won for the first time in three games. Kenny Thomas posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while Bonzi Wells chipped in 10 points off the bench for Sacramento.

The Kings have now won 14 games in a row at home.

Ray Allen paced Seattle with 23 points and seven rebounds as the SuperSonics lost for the second time in the last three games overall. Chris Wilcox had 16 points and 19 boards while Rashard Lewis added 15 points in the loss.

Leading by only one point midway through the fourth quarter, Sacramento exploded for an 11-2 run. Artest began the surge with a running jumper and Bibby capped it with a driving layup past Wilcox inside for a 99-91 lead with 3:24 remaining.

A three-pointer by Bibby off the left wing pushed the lead to 105-94 with 1:38 left to go and put Sacramento comfortably ahead down the stretch. Bibby finished the game 5-of-10 from beyond the arc.

The SuperSonics held a slim 60-58 advantage at the half. Allen had 12 points while Wilcox had 10 points and seven rebounds at the break. As a team, Seattle shot 50 percent from the field.

Artest had a tremendous first half for the Kings with 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor. He also was 10-of-11 from the charity stripe.

Artest’s three-pointer as time expired in the third quarter gave the Kings an 88-82 lead heading into the final frame.

Game Notes

Sacramento improved to 23-11 at ARCO Arena this season...Artest added eight rebounds and six assists. He was also 11-of-15 from the free throw line...Brad Miller had eight points and 14 rebounds for the Kings...The SuperSonics dropped to just 10-23 as the visitor this season...Seattle has lost six of seven and nine of its last 11 at Sacramento...Luke Ridnour had only six points, but dished out 10 assists for the SuperSonics.