GAME THREAD: NBA: SACRAMENTO (2-5) at MINNESOTA (0-5)

NBA: SACRAMENTO (2-5) at MINNESOTA (0-5)

<h3>Artest returns as Kings face winless Timberwolves</h3>

<div class="pre">Sacramento (2-5) at Minnesota (0-5) 8:00 pm EST</div>

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Maybe the return of forward Ron Artestcan help turn the fortunes of the struggling Sacramento Kings.

Artest makes his season-debut when the Kings face the winlessMinnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.


Artest was suspended for the first seven games of the seasonafter pleading no contest to a misdemeanor domestic violencecharge stemming from a March 5 dispute with his wife. Heaveraged 18.8 points in 70 games last season.


The Kings, who have dropped all three of their road games, arecoming off a 117-93 thrashing at Utah on Monday. John Salmonsscored 22 points and Kevin Martin scored 21 for Sacramento,which was down by 17 after one quarter and 23.


Martin did score 29 points to lead the Kings to a 100-93 win vs.the Timberwolves on Saturday, sending the Timberwolves to theirfifth straight loss.


Al Jefferson scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds andreserve Rashad McCants scored 16 for Minnesota, which has won 10of its past 15 vs. Sacramento.


Jefferson, who was the main piece for the Timberwolves in theKevin Garnett trade with Boston in July, has a double-double inall five games.


The teams split their four games last season.

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">SACRAMENTO VS MINNESOTA - INACTIVES

SACRAMENTO MINNESOTA

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
M BIBBY THUMB INJURY M MADSEN SHOULDER
K THOMAS COACH'S DECISION R FOYE KNEE INJURY
J WILLIAMS COACH'S DECISION C SMITH ANKLE INJURY</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">SACRAMENTO AT MINNESOTA - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


SACRAMENTO MINNESOTA

F Mikki Moore F Ryan Gomes
F Francisco Garcia F Al Jefferson
C Brad Miller C Theo Ratliff
G Kevin Martin G Greg Buckner
G John Salmons G Marko Jaric

OFFICIALS: Bill Spooner
Jason Phillips
David Guthrie</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">SACRAMENTO AT MINNESOTA - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

REVISED LINEUPS

SACRAMENTO MINNESOTA

F Mikki Moore F Ryan Gomes
F Ron Artest F Al Jefferson
C Brad Miller C Theo Ratliff
G Beno Udrih G Rashad McCants
G Kevin Martin G Marko Jaric

OFFICIALS: Bill Spooner
Jason Phillips
David Guthrie</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">SACRAMENTO AT MINNESOTA - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

REVISED LINEUPS

SACRAMENTO MINNESOTA

F Ron Artest F Ryan Gomes
F John Salmons F Al Jefferson
C Brad Miller C Theo Ratliff
G Kevin Martin G Rashad McCants
G Beno Udrih G Marko Jaric

OFFICIALS: Bill Spooner
Jason Phillips
David Guthrie</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">SACRAMENTO AT MINNESOTA - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

REVISED LINEUPS

SACRAMENTO MINNESOTA

F Ron Artest F Ryan Gomes
F Mikki Moore F Al Jefferson
C Brad Miller C Theo Ratliff
G Kevin Martin G Rashad McCants
G Beno Udrih G Marko Jaric

OFFICIALS: Bill Spooner
Jason Phillips
David Guthrie</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 7
MINNESOTA 3 8:20 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 9
MINNESOTA 9 5:45 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 17
MINNESOTA 16 3:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 21
MINNESOTA 21 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 21 21
MINNESOTA 21 21 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

SAC - BENO UDRIH 5, BRAD MILLER 4, RON ARTEST
4
MIN - AL JEFFERSON 7, RASHAD MCCANTS 5, COREY
BREWER 3</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 28
MINNESOTA 26 8:57 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 33
MINNESOTA 35 6:06 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 37
MINNESOTA 38 3:09 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 48
MINNESOTA 45 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
SACRAMENTO 21 27 48
MINNESOTA 21 24 45 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

SAC - BRAD MILLER 10, BENO UDRIH 7, RON ARTEST
6
MIN - RASHAD MCCANTS 13, AL JEFFERSON 13,
ANTOINE WALKER 8</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 53
MINNESOTA 51 9:01 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 58
MINNESOTA 57 6:06 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 64
MINNESOTA 63 3:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">NBA SACRAMENTO 69
MINNESOTA 71 END, 3RD QTR</div>