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Bibby sets frachise mark from the arc as Kings top Suns

Mar 26, 2007 - 1:16 AM SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- Mike Bibby's sweet stroke had Arco Arena feeling good.

Bibby nailed a franchise-record nine 3-pointers en route to 37 points as the Sacramento Kings posted just their second win in the last 10 games, an emotional 107-100 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Injuries and poor play have had the Kings struggling to stay afloat in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But the Kings were playing like they did back when they were at the top of the West standings in years past.

"We've got 12 games left, so we're going to play as hard as we can every game and still try to get that last spot," Bibby said.

Sacramento avoided a second loss to Phoenix this week. Amare Stoudemire abused the Kings for 33 points and 21 rebounds in a 118-100 win on Thursday in Phoenix.

"I think it should have been easier (playing the Kings twice in a week) - knowing what they run, which plays they play," Stoudemire said. "We had such a dominant performance on the boards last game. The guard play was unstoppable. They really shot the ball well from the outside."

Three days later, Bibby shot 13-of-23 from the field, including 9-of-12 from the arc to break Mitch Richmond's mark set on February 25, 1994. With the win, Sacramento (30-40) moved four games behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers (34-36).

"It just felt good," Bibby said. "I tried to take a step inside the three and couldn't make anything, so I figured I'd just try to stay out and shoot threes. They were going in today, and I'm happy with that."

With the star guard on fire, Arco Arena lived up to its reputation as one of the most intimidating home courts in the NBA. After Shawn Marion's dunk cut the Suns' deficit to two, Bibby nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 104-96 with 38 seconds left - sending the crowd into a frenzy.

"The crowd was great," Kings guard Francisco Garcia said. "They were with us, it felt great. (It helps) a lot, especially against great teams like Phoenix and the Lakers coming in (Friday). We need the crowd."

Sacramento swingman John Salmons agreed.

"I was on the bench telling Shareef (Abdur-Rahim) we had to win this game more for the fans than anything," Salmons said. "We've been giving them a lot of close games like this at home. It was finally time for us to play a great team and actually win one at home for them."

Ron Artest had 24 points and nine rebounds and Salmons added 17 points for Sacramento, which shot 52 percent (37-of-71) from the field, including 11-of-22 from the arc.

Leandro Barbosa scored 27 points and Stoudemire collected 23 and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who lost for just the third time in their last 11 games.

"We didn't do what we're supposed to do and didn't handle the ball that well," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "One, you have to give (Sacramento) credit and two, we just didn't play that well. We should have taken care of business, but we didn't do it."

Phoenix (52-17) fell six games behind Dallas (58-11) for the top spot in the West and the NBA's best record.