Webber Leads Kings in Overtime

SACRAMENTO — There was nothing pretty about this one. Only the final score looked good to the Sacramento Kings.

Chris Webber had 25 points and 11 rebounds and put the Kings ahead for good in overtime Wednesday night, helping Sacramento defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 96-95.

It was a physical game characterized by missed shots and missed opportunities. The Kings prevailed behind Webber, who had five points in overtime.

He made a jump hook in the lane over Kevin Garnett, putting the Kings ahead for good, 89-87.

Following a shot clock violation by Minnesota, Webber backed Garnett down again and made a similar shot on the left side for a 91-87 lead with 1:24 remaining.

“That’s the best matchup you can find in the NBA,” Vlade Divac said. “Both are unbelievable players who can carry their team. Its nice watching both of them.”

Garnett had four points in overtime and finished with 27 and tied a career-high with 24 rebounds. But he missed 18 of 29 shots.

“I just had to keep shooting,” said Webber, who made just 11 of 31 attempts. “I tried to take my time (in overtime) and get it working.”

With Webber closely defending Garnett, Troy Hudson missed a long three-pointer that would have given the Timberwolves a one-point lead.

Peja Stojakovic gathered the rebound and made two free throws for a 96-92 lead with 1.7 seconds left before Hudson made a three-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.

“It was a physical game and they executed better than we did,” said Garnett, who turned an ankle at the start of overtime but remained in the game and played 50 minutes.

“We had numerous chances to win, we just couldn’t get it done.”

Stojakovic made all 10 of his free throws and had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who won their sixth straight home game and have taken seven of eight overall to open a three-game lead over Portland in the Pacific Division.

“Those free throws were very important,” said Stojakovic, who has made 42 of his last 43 attempts.

“It was a game where you just had to keep playing hard.”