Basketball - Sacramento Kings Defeat Denver Nuggets 

Scott Brooks, Sacramento Kings’ head coach, was happy and satisfied man after his first game as the head coach since taking over the mantle from Eric Musselman. Brooks was happy because the Kings had managed to defeat Denver Nuggets. Ironically, Brooks was Denvers’ assistant coach under George Karl.

Kings routed the Nuggets 94-87. Kevin Martin was the main scorer for the Kings with 28 points. Nuggets have never won a game at the Arco Arena and this loss was their 20th straight defeat. Nuggets went into the game with side depleted with Allen Iverson being injured and star Carmelo Anthony struggling to find form.

At the end of the match, Brooks, who earlier failed to coach Denvers to even a single win from four games, accepted the fact that he was terribly nervous before the game. He was modest enough to say that he was actually very anxious and was acting calm on the court. Brooks was presented with a souvenir game ball that was signed by all the members of the Kings’ team.

For the Kings’, it was Ron Artest who was the chief architect of the win. He scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Apart from Artest, Brad Miller scored 12 points, Bibby and Corliss scored 10 points each. Kings’ guard Mike Bibby felt that Artest’s ability in defense and the fact that he kept his calm at the end made all the difference. Denvers’ star player Carmelo Anthony looked in all sorts of trouble. His performance did not match his abilities and was continuously troubled by Artest.