Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Violence widens ahead of Greek austerity vote

Durant shows promise, inexperience in debut

Sonics rookie scores 12, but torched by Kings’ Martin

Image: DurantAP
Sonics rookie Kevin Durant dunks during Tuesday's preseason game against the Sacramento Kings.

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.

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
More news
Image: Kobe Bryant
AP
Kobe's shot lifts Lakers

Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto

Slideshow
Image: Snee, 8, son of New York Giants player Chris Snee and head coach Coughlin's grandson plays in the confetti after the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game in Indianapolis
  The Week in Sports Pictures
The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more.

more photos

  ProBasketballTalk tweets

  1. Loading the latest posts…

Source: Twitter. For more, follow @basketballtalk.

Video: NBA from NBC Sports
Lin on on 'Linsanity'
Knicks guard Jeremy Lin discusses the hype surrounding his recent rise in New York.

Slideshow
Washington Wizards v Charlotte Bobcats
  Get your cheer on
Check out some of the dancers from the NBA.

more photos

  Ask the NBA expert: Ira Winderman

Do you have a burning NBA question? Submit it now, and then check back for our reader mailbag.

Special feature
Image: LeBron James
Who will be MVP?
Interactive: Rank each player on a scale of 0 to 10 (10 = best player, 0 = barely worthy of consideration).

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Blake Griffin
  NBA All-Star starters
A look at the starting lineups for the East and West teams.

more photos