• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Martin, Kings earn 19th straight home win over Grizz

Mar 27, 2008 - 6:11 AM By Tom Galland PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) - The names may have changed, but 10 years of futility at Arco Arena continues for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kevin Martin poured in 36 points, including the game-winning free throws in overtime, as the Sacramento Kings held off the Grizzlies, 107-106, on Wednesday night.

Ron Artest scored 24 points and Brad Miller just missed a triple-double with 15, 17 rebounds and eight assists for the Kings, who have won 19 straight home meetings against the Grizzlies.

"As badly as we shot it from the field, we made up for it at the free-throw line," said Sacramento coach Reggie Theus, who saw his team hit 30-of-31 from the line. "That's encouraging, especially after losing three in a row."

It was the second near-miss for the Grizzlies at Arco Arena this season. Memphis let a fourth-quarter lead slip away in a 116-113 loss on January 10.

After Rudy Gay slammed home an offensive rebound to put the Grizzlies up by two, Miller converted three-point play on a wild bank shot in the lane which put Sacramento up 105-104 with just over a minute left in OT.

Memphis got the ball to Gay on its possession, but Artest slapped the ball away for his fifth steal to keep the Grizzlies from re-taking the lead.

After Francisco Garcia missed badly on a 3-pointer, Hakim Warrick was fouled and calmly sank two free throws to put Memphis back on top, 106-105.

"I told (Warrick) he had some pressure free throws," said Martin, who hit all 16 of his free throws. "Then, he came down and said, 'No, now these are pressure.'"

The call could have gone either way, but ended up being the sixth and final foul for Miller.

"It's a tough call, one way or another," Miller said. "It's a split decision (the officials) have to make either way on both sides. I thought I took the charge but, at the same time, I could be way off. Until you look at the film, I have no argument."

"I was due for a call I guess," Martin said. "I'm just glad it went my way."

Martin hit a pair from the line with seven seconds left to help the Kings regain the lead for good.

Memphis second-year guard Kyle Lowry missed a desperation shot in the lane over two defenders in the final seconds.

The Grizzlies had battled back after trailing by seven entering the fourth.

"They beat us twice (this year)," Artest said. "The first time (at Arco) was tight, too. They're a good team, they'll be better in a couple years."

Lowry converted a tough fallaway runner in the lane with 29 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 98-98, but could not convert the free throw for a three-point play that would have put the Grizzlies on top.

Sacramento went to Artest on its ensuing possession, but a good defensive effort by Gay blocked Artest's shot in the lane, giving Memphis a shot to win it with six seconds remaining.

Following timeouts by both teams, Gay just missed on a difficult 18-footer over Artest to send the game into overtime.

Memphis was led by Warrick's 26 points, including 20 in the first half to help the Grizzlies take a 50-42 advantage into the break.

"We did a good job of not putting our heads down and got back in the game," Warrick said. "(My shot) wasn't falling as much in the second half. That's how it goes. It was a tough, physical game."