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Short-Handed Kings Beat Hornets

Loss puts New Orleans' hopes for top seed in peril

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Apr 13, 2008 9:33 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Ron Artest returned from a thumb injury to hit four clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and the Sacramento Kings dealt a big blow to New Orleans' hopes for the top seed in the Western Conference with a 94-91 victory. The loss dropped the Hornets (55-25) into a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the top spot in the West with only two games remaining.

The Lakers control the tiebreaker with New Orleans based on a better conference record. By losing back-to-back games to the Lakers and Kings, the Hornets are also in trouble in the Southwest Division. They lead San Antonio and Houston by only a half-game, meaning they could go from fighting for home-court throughout the Western Conference playoffs to opening on the road when the postseason begins next weekend.

New Orleans Hornets forward David West, right, has the ball tapped away by Sacramento Kings' Ron Artest, left, last night. The Kings won 94-91.
New Orleans Hornets forward David West, right, has the ball tapped away by Sacramento Kings' Ron Artest, left, last night. The Kings won 94-91.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, right, drives into New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler, left, last night. The Kings won 94-91.
Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, right, drives into New Orleans Hornets center Tyson Chandler, left, last night. The Kings won 94-91.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, celebrates with fans in the front row after hitting a three point shot against the New Orleans Hornets late in the second half last night. The Kings won 94-91.
Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest, celebrates with fans in the front row after hitting a three point shot against the New Orleans Hornets late in the second half last night. The Kings won 94-91.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
Sacramento Kings forward Mikki Moore, right, goes to block a shot by New Orleans Hornets guard Morris Peterson, left, last night. The Kings won 94-91.
Sacramento Kings forward Mikki Moore, right, goes to block a shot by New Orleans Hornets guard Morris Peterson, left, last night. The Kings won 94-91.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
Sacramento Kings guard John Salmons, left, drives around New Orleans Hornets defender Bonzi Wells last night. The Kings won 94-91.
Sacramento Kings guard John Salmons, left, drives around New Orleans Hornets defender Bonzi Wells last night. The Kings won 94-91.   (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
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NBA • Los Angeles Lakers • basketball • Sacramento Kings • Ron Artest

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