SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -With their three stars in the starting lineup together for the first time, the Sacramento Kings rolled to their most lopsided win this season.
Ron Artest scored 27 points, Kevin Martin added 19 and Mike Bibby scored all 15 of his points in the first half to lead the finally healthy Kings to their third straight victory, 128-94 over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.
Sacramento had been playing short-handed since Bibby tore a ligament in his left thumb during the preseason. Bibby missed the first 36 games with that injury, Artest sat out 17 because of a suspension and injuries, and Martin also missed 17 with an injured groin.
The three played their first game together last Wednesday in Toronto, and Bibby and Artest joined Martin back in the starting lineup for the first time against New Jersey. Sacramento shot a season-best 57.5 percent, making 15 of 24 3-pointers and assisting on 30 of their 46 baskets in their highest scoring game of the season.
Vince Carter led the way for the Nets with 21 points, Richard Jefferson added 18 as New Jersey lost its sixth straight to match its longest losing streak of the season.
Suns 114, Bucks 105
MILWAUKEE (AP) – Steve Nash scored 15 of his season-high 37 points in the fourth quarter, leading Phoenix to the victory.
The Suns (30-12), who have the NBA’s second-best record behind Boston (33-6), rallied from 11 points down to become the first Western Conference team to notch 30 victories. Phoenix has won four straight since its 97-90 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last Tuesday.
Amare Stoudemire added 19 points, including 10 in the final period, and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Raja Bell scored eight of his 19 points in the final quarter.
Grant Hill was also back in the Suns’ starting lineup, less than two weeks after undergoing an appendectomy. He had eight points in 27 minutes after missing seven games recovering from the surgery Jan. 9.
Michael Redd led the Bucks with 28 points, but scored only two in the fourth quarter when he missed all three of his shots for Milwaukee. Andrew Bogut added 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Bobby Simmons had 15 points for the Bucks, who have lost six of seven.
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