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Spurs look to maintain dominance over Kings

Dec 22, 2008 - 3:31 PM Sacramento (7-21) at San Antonio (16-10), 8:30pm EST

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs are finally healthy and things are beginning to get back to normal. If recent history is any indication, "normalcy" for the Spurs includes utter domination of the Sacramento Kings.

The Spurs host the Kings on Monday night as they look to win for the ninth time in the clubs' last 10 meetings.

In last month's meeting at Sacramento's Arco Arena, the Spurs were taken to the brink, overcoming a fourth-quarter deficit to squeeze out a 90-88 triumph. Grizzled veteran Michael Finley came up with a 21-point effort and Tim Duncan added 20 as San Antonio spoiled a 31-point performance by Kings guard John Salmons.

That victory, however, came as the Spurs were still battling serious injury problems. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker were both sidelined by ankle injuries, leaving San Antonio without two of the three main components of its recent dominance. But the backcourt duo is back together - and, as expected, the Spurs have once again jumped back into the contender conversation.

Parker came two rebounds shy of a triple-double on Saturday, collecting 24 points and 10 assists to propel the Spurs to a 107-97 victory over the Toronto Raptors. They have won seven of nine overall.

The Kings, meanwhile, are still waiting for their star scorer to get back. Kevin Martin, the league's sixth-leading scorer last season, has missed seven games in a row and 19 of 21 overall. His extended absence has killed the Kings' offense. Salmons has admirably picked up the slack, averaging 19.9 points, but Martin's presence has been sorely missed.