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Martin notches a career high as Kings top Sonics

Nov 25, 2006 - 6:10 AM SEATTLE (Ticker) -- Kevin Martin introduced himself to Ray Allen and the Seattle SuperSonics.

Martin scored a career-high 35 points and Mike Bibby added 19 as the Sacramento Kings posted their fourth straight win over the SuperSonics, 109-100, to snap a three-game losing streak.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim collected 14 points and eight rebounds for the Kings, who shot 51 percent (43-of-84) from the field, including 9-of-23 from the arc.

Sacramento coach Eric Musselman attributed the stellar play to cohesion on the offensive end.

"I thought we really moved the ball. There's not been a lot of nights where we've had over 20 assists and (Friday) we had 23," Musselman said. "I thought the ball moved around. Kenny (Thomas) did a phenomenal job on the offensive glass and everybody that checked in the game for the most part had an assist, which hasn't happened in a while."

A third-year guard, Martin continues to be a pleasant surprise. Entering Friday's contest, he led Sacramento in scoring (23.7 ppg), field-goal percentage (.528) and 3-point percentage (.447). However, Martin does not have to force his offense with so many veterans on the squad.

"You know when you get hot, you just keep feeding off your teammates; hopefully they're looking for you," Martin said. "I never feel like I need to score big because I know the veterans can put the ball in the hole just like me."

Sonics forward Chris Wilcox was impressed with Martin's play.

"He was playing great last year," Wilcox said. "He has a great season started out now. He had a great night."

Going up against Allen, Martin got the better of the six-time All-Star. He shot 12-of-19, including four 3-pointers, while Allen was a dismal 6-of-22 from the floor.

"Offensively, we gave them too many possessions," Allen said. "We gave them chances to get in transition. We were on our heels and they took advantage of it. After that we were kind of playing frantic."

Bibby, a game-time decision with a bruised thigh, made 6-of-19 shots and handed out six assists. He was one of six Kings to score in double figures.

Sacremento's Ron Artest did not play with back spasms, leaving Seattle more exasperated.

"I don't care who was in or who was out (for Sacramento) because it's frustrating losing the game knowing we had control of the game the first two quarters," Allen said. "We put ourselves in situations where we kind of gave it away. We just set a bad tone."

Rashard Lewis scored 26 points for Seattle, which shot 46 percent (38-of-82).