Durant shows promise, inexperience in debut
Sonics rookie scores 12, but torched by Kings’ Martin
 Thearon Henderson / AP Sonics rookie Kevin Durant dunks during Tuesday's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings. |
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kevin Martin scored 27 points to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Seattle SuperSonics 104-98 on Tuesday night in the debut of new coaches in Reggie Theus and P.J. Carlesimo.
Seattle rookie Kevin Durant, the No. 2 pick overall in the draft, struggled to contain Martin, who had 14 first-quarter points, and picked up his fourth foul in the second quarter on a charge. But Durant played well in the second half and finished with 12 points in 20 minutes.
Looking ready for the regular season, Martin was 7-of-11 from the field and made all 12 free throws for the Kings, who took a 59-56 lead into halftime and never trailed in the second half.
Mike Bibby scored 14 points, Brad Miller and John Salmons had 13, while Ron Artest added 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Damien Wilkins scored 18 points for Seattle, Delonte West had 14, Chris Wilcox scored 13 and Earl Watson added 12.
Theus returned to Arco Arena as Sacramento’s coach. He played for the Kings in their inaugural Sacramento season in 1985-86. Carlesimo was on the other bench after the former San Antonio assistant left for Seattle during the summer.
On the court, veteran point guard Bibby was hustling on defense like he was trying to make the team, not be its star. Also notable was Miller, who lost 25 pounds in the offseason and had his hair styled in corn rows. He showed newfound quickness with a pair of dunks in the first half.
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