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Artest makes first trip to Motor City since brawl

Jan 20, 2007 - 4:16 PM Sacramento (15-22) at Detroit (22-16) 7:30 pm EST

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The last time Ron Artest took the court at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the NBA was left with a black eye.

Artest and the Sacramento Kings will conclude their four-game East Coast swing when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

As a member of the Indiana Pacers, Artest charged into the stands to attack a fan who hit the forward with a cup of ice in the fourth quarter of a November 19, 2004 contest. His actions resulted in him getting suspended for the rest of the season.

"I got booed when they announced my name so I expect the same thing," Artest said after Friday's game at Boston. "I expect the same exact thing. I guess it won't be any different from Indiana when they booed me. It won't be any different so I'm prepared for it."

The Kings ended their season-high seven-game losing streak with a 96-91 victory over the struggling Boston Celtics on Friday as Kevin Martin scored 27 points. Artest had 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win.

Detroit posted a 104-98 double-overtime triumph at Minnesota on Friday. The Pistons' All-Star backcourt of Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton combined for 51 points.

In his first start with Detroit, newly-acquired Chris Webber had 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Detroit native scored just two points in Wednesday's home debut.

"It felt good," Billups said about playing with Webber for the second straight game. "I just can't wait until we really become cohesive and I can run all the plays."

Sacramento swept the two-game season series from the Pistons last year, including a 109-98 win here on December 14, 2005.