Kings defeat Wizards 104-93
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-22 13:50

Peja Stojakovic hit five 3-pointers, and Mike Bibby scored seven of his 24 points in the fourth quarter of the Sacramento Kings' 16th victory in 19 games, 104-93 over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

Washington Wizards forward Jarvis Hayes,left, steals the ball from Sacramento Kings center Brad Miller during the first quarter in Sacramento, Calif. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2004. [AP]

Stojakovic scored 26 points and Chris Webber had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings, who lost top reserve Bobby Jackson late in the first half with a sprained right wrist.

Sacramento still held off several second-half charges from the resilient Wizards, who kept it close in one of the NBA's toughest arenas for visitors despite playing their fourth road game in five days. Washington hasn't won in Sacramento in eight games since Dec. 16, 1996.

Gilbert Arenas scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth, including five straight midway through the quarter to cut Sacramento's lead to four points. The Kings responded with tough baskets from Webber and Brad Miller — and Webber clinched the win on a spinning dunk with 46.4 seconds left.

Antawn Jamison had 20 points for Washington, and Larry Hughes scored seven of his 19 in the fourth quarter.

One day after a gritty victory at Golden State, the Wizards showed off their enviable youth and athleticism in a loss. They entered with the Eastern Conference's second-best record, but Sacramento is 50-2 at home against the East the last four seasons.

Miller had 19 points for the Kings, who spent much of the night frustrated by the officiating. With Jackson out, seldom-used reserve Maurice Evans played eight minutes in the fourth quarter, highlighted by an alley-oop dunk on a pass from Bibby.

Webber skipped the Kings' victory over lowly New Orleans on Sunday night to give his surgically repaired left knee a few extra days of rest. He appeared fresh against the Wizards, easily leaping for at least three dunks.

The Wizards have the next four days off before completing their five-game road trip at Minnesota on Sunday. Though they're just 2-2 on the trip, they showed their early-season success isn't a mirage with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers and competitive losses to Phoenix and Sacramento.

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