Sacramento Kings Team Report - March 28

(Basketball News) - Chris Webber returns to Sacramento for the first time since being traded to Philadelphia, as the Kings welcome the Sixers on Monday at ARCO Arena. Sacramento has dominated this series in recent years, winning eight straight and nine of the last 10 meetings overall.

The Sixers acquired Webber from the Kings on February 23rd in a six-player deal that also sent forwards Michael Bradley and Matt Barnes to Philadelphia for forwards Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner.

This is the second and final time the teams will meet this season. On February 26th, Sacramento defeated the 76ers, 101-99, at the Wachovia Center. The game was Webber’s first in a Philadelphia uniform. Webber, who had been with Sacramento since 1998, finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but missed the potential game-tying basket just before the final buzzer sounded.

Both teams are battling for positioning in the playoffs. The 76ers are tied with the Indiana Pacers for No. 7 in the Eastern Conference, while Sacramento is 1/2 game ahead of the Houston Rockets for the fifth seed in the West.

The Kings, who are 9-8 since trading Webber, will try to get back on the winning track Monday. On Saturday, Carmelo Anthony finished with 28 points and seven rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 113-99 victory over Sacramento at the Pepsi Center.

Peja Stojakovic netted 24 and Cuttino Mobley scored 18 in the loss to Denver for the Kings, who lost for the second time in five games. Thomas added 17 points and seven boards, while point guard Mike Bibby scored 15 points and dished out four assists.

Sacramento, which has allowed at least 100 points in 21 of its last 28 games, has scored over 100 points in 19 of its last 28 games.

The Kings are an impressive 26-10 as the host this season. They have won two in a row and are 7-3 in their last 10 at ARCO Arena.

Thomas has scored in double-digits in 10 straight games and has recorded three double-doubles in those games. He is averaging 16.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in that span.

Sacramento is scheduled to visit the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Earlier this season, the Kings defeated the Pistons, 100-85, on March 6th at ARCO Arena. Wednesday’s contest will be the final meeting of the regular season between the clubs.

The Kings will travel to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Friday and are then scheduled to return home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.