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Spurs face Kings, hope to avoid third straight loss

Dec 2, 2006 - 4:57 PM Sacramento (8-6) at San Antonio (11-5) 8:00 pm EST

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The San Antonio Spurs started on an incredible roll on the road. But after two straight setbacks away from home, they are glad to see the AT&T Center.

The Spurs hope to avoid losing three straight contests for the first time since late last campaign when they host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.

San Antonio started out red hot on the road, winning their first seven contests. However, after losses at Golden State and at Utah, it hopes to avoid its first three-game skid since March 20-23, 2005.

Tim Duncan collected 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and Bruce Bowen added a season-high 17 points for the Spurs, who were outrebounded, 50-34, on Wednesday in a 83-75 setback to the Jazz.

On Saturday, San Antonio will take on the Kings, who they eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season. Ron Artest scored 15 points off the bench for the Kings, who shot 44 percent (34-of-77) and missed 12 free throws in a 109-90 loss at red-hot Dallas on Friday. Artest did not start due to a sore back.

Kevin Martin was the only Sacramento starter to score in double digits, netting 13 points. After a surprising start to the season, Martin still leads the Kings in scoring at 23.2 points per game but has scored just 15 points combined in his last two contests.

The Spurs have won five of the last six regular season contests between the teams.