NBA Today - Tuesday, Nov. 20
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD Tuesday, Nov. 20
Golden State at New York (7:30 p.m. EST). The Warriors, who started the season with six consecutive losses, try for their third straight win.
STARS Monday
-Dwight Howard, Magic, had 24 points and 15 rebounds, leading Orlando to its fifth straight victory and snapping New Orleans' five-game winning streak, 95-88.
-Raymond Felton, Bobcats, had 24 points and 10 assists and Charlotte defeated Portland 102-91.
-Stromile Swift, Grizzlies, scored a season-high 24 points in Memphis' 125-108 win over Seattle.
SWINGS
New Jersey's 102-75 loss at Utah on Monday night was its sixth straight after starting the season 4-1. The Jazz improved to 5-1 at home as the Nets lost their fourth game by 22 or more points this season.
GETTING BETTER
Gerald Wallace scored 27 points for the third consecutive game to help Charlotte improve to 6-4, the best record through 10 games in its four-year history, following Monday night's 101-92 victory over Portland. ... Orlando tied its franchise-best start at 10-2 following a 95-88 victory at New Orleans.
SHORT-HANDED
Memphis was missing center Darko Milicic, out with a bad left thumb, and rookie guard Mike Conley, who injured his right shoulder in Saturday night's loss at Dallas, in a 125-108 victory over Seattle on Monday night. The SuperSonics, without guard Luke Ridnour, who missed his fourth game with a torn left quadriceps, and center Robert Swift, who sat out his fifth straight game with a right knee contusion, have lost 10 of 12 to start the season.
SIDELINED
New Orleans point guard Chris Paul missed his second straight game Monday night, a 95-88 loss to Orlando. The Hornets also lost center Tyson Chandler to a hyperextended right knee in the second quarter. ... Lakers center Kwame Brown will be sidelined indefinitely with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Brown was averaging 4.3 points and 5.0 rebounds in seven games this season.
STATUS
Gilbert Arenas sat out practice Monday to rest his left knee, but Washington expects the guard to play against Philadelphia on Tuesday. Arenas missed a game for the first time this season Saturday because his surgically repaired knee was feeling sore. ... Nets guard Vince Carter missed his fifth straight game with a sprained right ankle, a 102-75 loss to Utah, but joined the team for a four-game Western Conference road trip.
SPEAKING
''Nobody is going to come here and rescue us. We have 15 guaranteed contracts. We can't bring in anybody to help with the situation right now. We've got to get it done.'' - Portland coach Nate McMillan after a 101-92 loss at Charlotte on Monday night, the Blazers' seventh straight on the road.
Tuesday's NBA betting matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Philadelphia at Washington
The Wizards have won three straight meetings with the 76ers overall, and haven't lost at home to Philadelphia since April 9, 2005.
San Antonio at Atlanta
The Spurs have won 14 of 18 games against the Hawks during Tim Duncan's career, including both meetings last season by an average of 10.5 points.
Milwaukee at Cleveland
The Cavaliers have won seven straight overall against Milwaukee and eight in a row at home over the Bucks, who have not won in Cleveland since the pre-Le Brong James era, on Jan. 6, 2003.
L.A. Lakers at Indiana
The Lakers have lost their last three visits to Indiana, with Bryant getting held to an average of 20.0 points.
Golden State at New York
The Knicks have lost eight of the past 10 meetings with the Warriors but won the most recent one, 106-97 at Madison Square Garden on March 2 behind Stephon Marbury's 34 points.
Toronto at Dallas
Reigning league MVP Dirk Nowitzki has scored at least 29 points in four of his last five games against Toronto. He had 38 points and 11 rebounds in his last game against the Raptors - a 97-96 Mavs victory Jan. 14.
Chicago at Denver
Kurt Hinrich averaged 24.5 points and 8.0 assists against Denver in 2006-07 as the Bulls and Nuggets split their two-game season series. Both games were decided by four points or fewer.
Phoenix at Sacramento
Phoenix had won five straight meetings with Sacramento before losing the most recent one, 107-100 at Arco Arena on March 25.
Lakers center Brown sidelined indefinitely by ligament injury
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown will be sidelined indefinitely with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
Lakers spokesman John Black said an MRI on Monday revealed the extent of the injury.
Brown was hurt early in the Lakers' 106-78 victory over Chicago on Sunday.
He will not make the team's upcoming three-game road trip, and is scheduled to be reevaluated in about a week.
The Lakers have depth at center with Chris Mihm and Andrew Bynum, and Ronny Turiaf also can play the position.
Brown injured his knee and also mildly sprained his left ankle when Bulls center Ben Wallace fell into him under the Los Angeles basket with 8:18 left in the opening period.
Brown was averaging 4.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in his first six games this season.
The Lakers take on the Indiana Pacers tonight.
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas sits out practice; expected to play Tuesday
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Gilbert Arenas sat out practice Monday to rest his left knee, but the Washington Wizards expect him to play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Arenas missed a game for the first time this season Saturday because his surgically repaired knee was feeling sore. The Wizards beat the Portland Trail Blazers 109-90 that night for their fourth consecutive victory after opening the season 0-5.
Arenas has been getting some extra rest this season, missing practices to let his knee recover.
''It seems like he's going to play'' against Philadelphia, Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said after practice. ''Our policy is that whenever we can give him some time off, we will.''
Tuesday's college basketball matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NC-Wilmington at No. 8 Indiana
Indiana and UNC Wilmington have met twice, with the Hoosiers winning both times. The most recent matchup came in the second round of the 2002 NCAA tournament, with Indiana winning 76-67 on its way to an appearance in the national title game.
Oklahoma State vs No. 13 Marquette
The Cowboys are 4-0 against Marquette, but the teams have not played since a 57-54 Oklahoma State in the semifinals of the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu in 1998.
South Carolina State at No. 1 North Carolina
The Bulldogs, who went 4-12 on the road last season are 0-2 away from home. They are averaging just 61.7 points per game while opponents are averaging 77.3 points.
Middle Tennessee St. at No. 7 Tennessee
Middle Tennessee has lost five straight to the Vols. The teams opened last season against each other, with Tennessee winning 83-52 in Knoxville.
Arkansas St. at No. 3 Memphis
Memphis leads the all-time series between the teams 29-26 and has won the last three meetings.
North Florida at No. 24 Florida
The Gators beat North Florida 86-40 in Gainesville last November in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
Illinois vs No. 10 Duke
Duke has won the last three games between the teams, including a 72-62 victory in the regional semifinals of the 2004 NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils lead the all-time series 4-2, and the Illini have not beaten them since a 75-65 victory Dec. 2, 1995.
No. 12 Michigan State vs No. 2 UCLA
UCLA and Michigan State are meeting for just the seventh time, with the Bruins holding a 4-2 edge. UCLA won the last meeting, 76-64 at Michigan State on Dec. 21, 2004.
No. 11 Oregon at St. Mary's
Oregon has won seven of eight against Saint Mary's, although the teams haven't played since December 1993, when the visiting Ducks beat Kent's Gaels 76-70.
Louisville's Padgett out at least 10 weeks
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville center David Padgett will miss at least 10 weeks with a fractured right knee, coach Rick Pitino said Monday.
Padgett injured the knee late in the first half of No. 6 Louisville's 84-53 win over Jackson State on Sunday. He was setting a screen at the top of the key for a teammate when he appeared to bang knees with a Jackson State player.
Pitino said initially the injury appeared to be a bruise. Padgett had surgery on both knees following the 2005-06 season.
Padgett is a fifth-year senior. If he could not return this season, his college career would be over unless the NCAA granted a sixth year of eligibility due to medical hardship.
The Cardinals play UNLV on Wednesday.
Toronto (5-5, 4-5-1 ATS) at Dallas (7-2, 5-4 ATS)
The Mavericks look to extend a couple of winning streaks when they conclude a four-game homestand by hosting the Raptors at American Airlines Center.
Dallas is 5-0 at home (4-1 ATS), with three of the wins coming during this homestand. The only non-cover was on Saturday, when the Mavericks beat Memphis 108-105, falling way short as a 14-point chalk.
The Raptors have alternated SU and ATS wins and losses in their last four games, including Sunday’s 106-100 loss to the Warriors as a 6½-point home favorite. Toronto is just 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight games (1-1-1 ATS on the road).
Dallas has gotten the best of the Raptors the last seven times they’ve met. However, Toronto is 3-1 ATS in the last four clashes, with three of the games decided by a total of five points.
The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five series meetings.
The Mavs have topped the total in six of nine games, including four of five at home. The over is also 4-1-1 in the last six Dallas-Toronto battles overall and 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS and OVER
Chicago (2-7 SU and ATS) at Denver (7-3, 6-4 ATS)
The slumping Bulls continue their six-game, 11-day road trip when they head to the Pepsi Center to face the surging Nuggets in the Mile High City.
Chicago followed up Saturday’s 19-point rout of the Clippers at the Staples Center with Sunday’s ugly 106-78 loss to the Lakers in the same arena. The Bulls have struggled offensively all year (87.9 points per game), scoring more than 97 points just twice, and they lost both of those games.
The Nuggets come into this one on a 5-0 SU and ATS winning streak, including three straight wins at home last week over the Cavaliers (122-100), Blazers (110-93) and Knicks (115-83). George Karl’s team has scored 110 points or more in all five wins during their streak.
Denver is 4-1 SU and ATS at home, while the Bulls are 1-4 SU and ATS on the highway.
These teams have split their last six meetings over the last three years, with the home team going 4-2 SU. However, the underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. Also, the Nuggets are 7-1 ATS in the last eight series battles.
Denver is on a 21-6 ATS roll against teams from the Central Division, including 2-0 SU and ATS this year.
The over is 3-0 in the last three Bulls-Nuggets battles and 4-1 in the last five meetings in Denver.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and OVER
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Illinois (3-0, 1-2 ATS) vs. Duke (3-0, 1-1 ATS), at Maui
Duke looks to continue its dominance in the Maui Invitational when it battles Illinois in an intriguing semifinal matchup.
Duke had no trouble with Princeton in last night’s opening-round game, jumping out to a 31-4 lead and rolling 83-61 for its third straight victory of at least 20 points to start the season. The Blue Devils are now 10-0 all-time in Maui, with six of the wins coming by at least 20 points. However, they gave up a bucket with 20 seconds left, costing them the spread-cover as a 23-point favorite.
Illinois followed Duke’s romp over Princeton with an equally easy 77-54 rout of Arizona State as a four-point favorite. The Illini clearly adjusted to their surroundings after struggling to win 79-77 as a three-point favorite in a non-conference contest at Hawaii on Saturday.
Going back to March, Duke is mired in a 1-5 ATS slump, including 0-3 ATS in neutral-site games. On the bright side, under coach Mike Krzyzewski, the Blue Devils are 85-10 SU in November, including 36-2 since 2000.
Despite Monday’s blowout win, Illinois is still just 2-10 ATS in its last 12 non-conference games and 3-9 ATS in its last 12 neutral-site affairs.
The Blue Devils are averaging 96.7 points per game, while allowing just 59.3 ppg. Meanwhile, Illinois is putting up 73 ppg and yielding 62 ppg.
The over is 5-1 in Duke’s last six lined contests. However, while its game against Arizona State last night hurdled the total, Illinois is still on a 47-23-3 “under” run, including 13-2-2 in the last 17.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE
(2) UCLA (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) vs. (10) Michigan State (3-0, 2-1 ATS),
at Kansas City, Mo.
The season’s first matchup of Top 10 teams comes from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, where UCLA battles Michigan State in the finals of the College Basketball Experience Classic.
UCLA kept its perfect record intact with Monday’s 71-59 victory over Maryland, cashing as a 10-point favorite. All four of the Bruins’ wins this year have come by double digits, and they’ve covered the number in each of their last three.
Michigan State advanced to the finals of this event by holding off Missouri 86-83, barely covering as a 1½-point favorite. The Spartans nearly blew a 10-point halftime lead, but held on by shooting 53.8 percent from the field and making 26 of 31 free-throw attempts.
Bruins freshman center Kevin Love recorded a double-double against Maryland, finishing with 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Love is averaging 20 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 59 percent from the field in his young collegiate career.
The 59 points UCLA gave up last night were a season-high. Overall, the Bruins are yielding just 50 points per game. Tonight, they face a productive Spartans offense that’s scored 86, 83 and 86 points in its first three games.
UCLA is on a 6-3 ATS run, including 4-2 ATS on neutral courts.
Going back to last season, Michigan State has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses in its last six games.
The under is 3-1 in UCLA’s four lined games this year and 7-2 in its last nine going back to last March. However, the over is 5-2 in Michigan State’s last seven contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UCLA
gametimepicks.com
Duke takes on Illinois tonight
November 20, 2007
By VI News
It took only 20 good minutes of basketball for both No. 13 Duke and Illinois to advance to the semifinals of the Maui Invitational.
Forty good minutes likely will be needed for a spot in the championship game as the two teams face each other Tuesday in Hawaii. Most books are listing Duke as a 6 1/2-point favorite.
Both the Blue Devils (3-0) and Illini (3-0) used impressive first-half surges that turned the second halves of their respective games into little more than glorified practice sessions. Freshman forward Kyle Singler continued making an immediate impact for Duke, scoring 10 of his 21 points in a 16-0 run that extended into a 31-4 start spanning the first 9:40 of Tuesday's 83-61 rout of Princeton.
Singler also grabbed 12 rebounds for his first double-double as coach Mike Krzyzewski was able to give every player extensive action and find areas that need improvement.
"After our sensational start when we came out like gangbusters, it really was a good game,' Krzyzewski noted. "I thought our first six guys played really well but we need to get more from our bench and they got a lot time tonight and I wasn't pleased with their performance.'
The Blue Devils improved to 10-0 all-time at the Maui Invitational, with six of those wins coming by at least 20 points. Duke is the only team to win the event three times, doing so in 1992, 1997 and most recently 2001.
Sophomore guard Jon Scheyer again provided offense from the bench, contributing 10 points. He has reached double figures as a reserve in all three games, averaging 15.0 points and shooting 57.7 percent, including 8 of 12 from 3-point range.
Krzyzewski, who spent his summer coaching Team USA in preparation for the 2008 Olympics, has brought back an up-tempo offensive style that has paid early dividends. The Blue Devils are averaging 96.7 points through their first three games, shooting 50 percent overall and 41.1 percent from 3-point range.
Singler (15.3 ppg), Scheyer, Gerald Henderson (12.7), DeMarcus Nelson (10.3) and freshman Taylor King (11.3) all are averaging in double figures.
Illinois also left no doubt about the outcome of its game early against Arizona State, racing to a 20-0 lead en route to a 77-54 victory. Rodney Alexander scored 12 of his 17 points in the decisive spurt, making two 3-pointers and two traditional 3-point plays in a stretch where the Illini made seven consecutive shots while the Sun Devils missed their first nine.
Brian Randle added 17 points and eight rebounds as Illinois shot 57.4 percent (27-for-47) and made 10 of 17 attempts from 3-point range. The Illini have played stellar defense thus far, limiting opponents to 36.8 percent shooting and 62.0 points per game.
Illinois is 5-2 all-time at the Maui Invitational, losing in the semifinals in 1987 and reaching the championship game in 2000.
Duke has won the last three games between the teams, including a 72-62 victory in the regional semifinals of the 2004 NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils lead the all-time series 4-2, and the Illini have not beaten them since a 75-65 victory Dec. 2, 1995.
The winner of this game will play either No. 11 Marquette or Oklahoma State in the championship game Wednesday. The losers will meet for third place.
Tuesday’s college tip-off tourney betting previews
Covers.com
It’s amazing what 12 straight hours of watching basketball will do to a man. My hair is greasy, my face is scruffy and I’m wearing the exact same thing I wore yesterday – sweat pants and a salsa-stained undershirt.
It’s a look usually saved for the conference tourneys or the first couple rounds of the Big Dance. Yet Monday had so much college hoops love to give, I couldn’t help but suck it all in.
And it’s not over.
There are two top tip-offs on the go this week, giving us sneak previews of what life will be like come March. Tuesday offers another full slate of quality wagers. So crack a window and get out the air freshener, it’s going to get stinky.
MAUI INVITATIONAL
Louisiana State Tigers at Chaminade Silverswords: Tuesday, 1:30 p.m. (all times ET)
The Tigers were lost on offense in the first half of their opening game with OSU, but relied on their versatility and athleticism to claw back in the final 20 minutes. LSU will once again be without junior Tasmin Mitchell, who tried to go on a bum wheel but could only muster six minutes. Making up for his absence was JuCo transfer Marcus Thornton and juniors Chris Johnson and Garrett Temple, who combined for 56 of the Tigers’ 77 points.
Princeton Tigers vs. Arizona State Sun Devils: Tuesday, 4 p.m.
The Devils need more than six points out of Jeff Pendergraph if they want to compete with the country’s elite – hey, that rhymes! The junior forward shot only three field goals and went to the line for just two freebies.
The Tigers were on their heels from the jump and had no answer for Duke’s size and athletic talent. That sounds funny to say, but after watching DeMarcus Nelson and Gerald Henderson bang their elbows on the rim I’m starting to believe in Coach K’s new philosophy. It also didn’t help that Princeton tried just 47 field goal attempts in the entire game to Duke’s 74. Love that Princeton offense.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Marquette Golden Eagles: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
The Eagles knew they had a tough game on their hands against the host team on Monday, so it’s no surprise this one finished closer than oddsmakers predicted. Marquette still relies on the backcourt tandem of Jerel McNeal and Dominic James, which combined for 33 points against the Silverswords.
The Cowboys’ size will be the biggest weapon against the Eagles. Forward Marcus Dove, first-year center Ibrahima Thomas and freshman game-breaker James Anderson have to continue to face up and take smaller defenders to the hoop. OSU’s backcourt of Byron Eaton and Terrel Harris is experienced enough to hold its own against Marquette’s one-two guard punch.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Duke Blue Devils: Tuesday, 9:30 p.m.
Both teams took one-sided first-round wins on Monday. Duke got up and down the floor and used its size and overwhelming talent to pound Princeton. Freshman Kyle Singler was a matchup issue against the Tigers, scoring 21 points. Project big man Brian Zoubek showed flashes of greatness but won’t have an Ivy League center guarding him tonight.
Duke’s frontcourt must find a way to stop Brian Randle and banger Shaun Pruitt. The Illini’s starting forwards played limited minutes versus ASU after going up big early into Monday’s game. Illinois starters got ample rest and should have fresh legs to keep up with the Dukies’ offense. They’ll need all the energy they can get, especially in the backcourt where the Illini don’t match up well with the Blue Devils.
CBE CLASSIC
Maryland Terrapins vs. Missouri Tigers: Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.
Maryland got a taste of how good UCLA is on Monday. The Terps went down and stayed down for the entire game. Thing is, both teams played sloppy basketball. Maryland had 21 total turnovers and 23 total personal fouls, sending its best two forwards to the bench in the final minutes with five fouls each.
Missouri is begging the Terrapins to play as carelessly tonight. The Tigers thrive off of pressure on both ends of the floor. On offense, they attack the basket and viciously crash the boards. On defense, they pick up on the baseline and are in the ball-handler’s face for an entire 40 minutes. This pace nearly knocked off Michigan State, who led by as many as 16 points before battling in the final seconds for the win.
Michigan State Spartans vs. UCLA Bruins: Tuesday, 10 p.m.
This potential Final Four showdown almost didn’t happen after the Spartans constantly handed Mizzou points off of turnovers. MSU controlled the pace and was breaking the Tigers’ pressure for most of the game until midway through the second half. Raymar Morgan’s foul trouble and Drew Neitzel’s disappearance until the final two minutes nearly cost Sparty the win.
The Bruins are just plain good. UCLA got stuck in a clumsy contest with the Terps on Monday but executed well enough for a convincing win. The Bruins walked through Maryland’s press, dominated the glass and got to the foul line 30 times. Having Darren Collison and Michael Roll on the bench doesn’t help UCLA’s defense against Michigan State’s aggressive backcourt.
Marbury returns to starting lineup for Knicks
November 20th, 2007
New York, NY (Sports Network) - Guard Stephon Marbury is expected to return to the starting lineup Tuesday night when the New York Knicks host the Golden State Warriors.
According to the New York Daily News, Marbury has regained the starting job. He had spent the last three games coming off the bench as head coach Isiah Thomas wanted him to be more of a leader and improve his defensive play.
Marbury, who left the team for one game when he learned of the demotion, is averaging 13.6 points and 5.9 assists in eight games this season.
UAB loses Delaney for season
November 20th, 2007
Birmingham, AL (Sports Network) - UAB guard Paul Delaney III will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
Delaney suffered the injury in the second half of UAB's 59-57 loss to Georgia Southern on Saturday.
Delaney led the Blazers in scoring (15.5), assists (5.2) and steals (1.9) per game during the 2006-2007 campaign and was named to the Conference USA Preseason First Team prior to this season.
The senior guard will be eligible for a medical redshirt and is expected to return for the 2008-2009 season.
Tuesday NBA Gameday
LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers will be looking to go over the .500 mark on the year when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Here's your NBA Gameday:
Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:00pm ET
The Bucks have won two straight games over the Hawks and Grizzlies after dropping two in a row to the tough Rockets and Spurs a week ago. Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd each tossed in 21 points for Milwaukee in their 105-96 win over Atlanta on Saturday. Mo Williams had 11 points and 10 assists, while Yi Jianlian scored five points.
The Cavaliers snapped a two-game losing streak (versus the Nuggets and Magic) by knocking off the Jazz 99-94 last Friday night. LeBron James exploded for 40 points in that win over Utah, and he's now averaging 29.2 points-per-game on the year. Zydrunas Ilgauskas picked up 17 points and 12 rebounds in Cleveland's fifth win of this season.
Toronto Raptors at Dallas Mavericks, 8:30pm ET
The up-and-down Raptors have lost five of their past eight games to sit at just 5-5 on the season. Toronto went 1-2 last week, beating the Pacers on Friday but falling to both the Jazz and the Warriors. Chris Bosh had just 11 points in Toronto's 106-100 home loss to Golden State on Sunday, and the slumping forward is averaging just 16.2 PPG.
The Mavericks were upset by the Trail Blazers back on November 10, but since then they've rattled off three straight wins over the Sixers, Spurs, and Grizzlies. In Saturday's 108-105 home win over Memphis Josh Howard led the way with 27 points and seven rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki picked up 21 points in that win, and Devin Harris tossed in 19.
Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets, 9:00pm ET
The floundering Bulls actually found their way back into the win column vs. the Clippers on Saturday night, but they then promptly lost 106-78 to the Lakers on Sunday. Chicago has now lost six of their eight November games. Ben Gordon led the way for the Bulls on Sunday with 20 points, while Luol Deng missed that contest with a sore lower back.
The Nuggets were stuck in a three-game losing streak at the beginning of November, but since then they've managed to win five in a row (over the Wizards, Pacers, Cavaliers, Blazers, and Knicks) to move to 7-3 on the season. Carmelo Anthony had a team-high 24 points versus New York on Saturday, while Allen Iverson was good for 23.
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings, 10:00pm ET
The Suns sit at 8-2 and atop the Pacific Division heading into Tuesday night's game, thanks to their current five-game winning streak. Phoenix has knocked off the Heat, Magic, Knicks, Bulls, and Rockets, in order, since getting upset by the Hawks on November 7. Steve Nash had 19 points and 15 assists in Saturday's win over Houston.
The Kings have won two straight games over the Knicks and Pistons to improve their season record to a middling 4-6. Sacramento had lost two in a row to Utah and Minnesota prior to that streak. Beno Udrih led the Kings with 23 points in their 105-95 home win over Detroit on Sunday, while Brad Miller had 15 points and nine rebounds.
