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Barnes scores career high as Warriors roll past Kings

Dec 13, 2006 - 6:28 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors' 3-point shooting was contagious.

Leading six players in double figures, Matt Barnes scored a career-high 32 points and made a career-best six 3-pointers as the Warriors cruised to a 126-113 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Mickael Pietrus had 21 points, Andris Biedrins added 20 and 14 rebounds and Baron Davis handed out 13 assists for Golden State, which improved to 2-0 this season against Sacramento.

"It's nice to beat our Bay Area rivals and a team we will be in competition with all year," said Mike Dunleavy Jr., who finished with 20 points and seven assists. "But we just need to get wins. We brought a lot of energy tonight. We were active, played well, and everybody contributed."

Golden State made nine 3-pointers en route to building a 68-54 cushion at the break. Barnes, Pietrus, Davis and Monta Ellis all hit at least two 3-pointers in the opening half.

The Warriors maintained at least an eight-point lead in the second half. They finished 15-of-27 from the arc.

"We put all the stats up and we knew their three-ball was a problem and they knocked them down, so obviously, defensively we're not doing what we need to do," Sacramento coach Eric Musselman said.

Barnes, who grabbed a career-high 11 boards, eclipsed his previous high of 24 points set against Utah on November 25.

"I am very happy for Matt Barnes tonight," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "He played an all-around game but the three has really made him something special. He was rated 10th in the league (in 3-point percentage) coming into this game. He really played an all-around game tonight. He came in as a walk-on and was exactly the guy I was looking for. He's smart and always knows the plays. He is a great guy to coach."

"I finally have a coach who believes in me," said Barnes, a former King. "I'm just trying to make the most of it. I had a chance to work on my outside shot a lot while I was in Philly because I wasn't playing a lot so that continues to get better."

Barnes averaged barely 11 minutes of action in 50 games last season for the Philadelphia 76ers.

"I think (Barnes) has had a great year," Musselman said. "He's really improved his 3-point shooting. He was kind of a slasher and rebounder when he got into the league. I have great respect for a guy who improves his game so much. He's had some other really good games. Tonight was his career night so obviously we're not playing very good defense."

Kevin Martin netted 32 points and Ron Artest added 22 and three steals for the Kings, who have dropped five of their last six games.

"We just have to keep working hard and keep on focusing on all the positives and forget about the negatives," Artest said. "They shot the ball well tonight, they really did what they wanted to do."