VISITING AMIGOS UPEND FIRST-PLACE SACRAMENTO
SACRAMENTO -- Two of the league's best centers put on a titanic show in a game that saw Sacramento's nemesis, San Jose, grab a 4-point halftime lead and hold it until the end for a scrappy 73-69 victory.
Both teams are now 4-2 in a three-way West Division race, with San Jose extending its winning streak to three games while halting a 4-game win streak of Sacramento's.
The teams split the season series 1-1.
This was the last home game of the season for Sacramento.
PLAYERS OF GAME
Defending All-MBA center HUNK R. DOWN was outrageous around the basket in this game. The 7-footer led all scorers with 19 points, coming on 9 of 12 shooting, with seven of those buckets ending in slam dunks. He was also 1-for-1 from the foul line. The big guy also hit the boards hard, coming up with 9 caroms. He also had 1 assist and 1 blocked shot to earn his first POG this season.
Down's magnificent game was matched by 6-8, sixth-year center TREE FIDDY of Sacramento, who did his opposite one better in the rebounding department, hauling down a game-high 10 boards. Fiddy had 15 points on 7 of 9 shooting, including 1-for 1 from 3-Point Land, 2 blocked shots, 2 assists and 1 steal. When Sacramento got down 9 points down the stretch, Fiddy blocked a sure bucket by Down, then popped in the trey to pull his team back into the game with 14 left.
This was his second POG this season.
Other 20-Plus GVP performers
-- Solid shooting guard Dayshotta Leo of San Jose scored 16 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and tied for game-high in blocked shots with 3 in this big win.
-- Rookie forward Cam Caldwell of San Jose thoroughly out-played All Star forward Doo-rag Dripp for the victors. Caldwell scored 16 points, had 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot while holding Dripp, the top scorer on Sacramento, to just 10 points, 8 under his average.
-- Rookie point guard Great Gruncle Terry had a fine all-around game, scoring 10 points and accounting for a game-high 9 assists. The 6-5 newcomer also grabbed 3 rebounds and tied for game-high in blocks with 3.
-- Eight-season veteran foward Pap Smearz led all R-Dogs in scoring with 17 points, grabbed 3 rebounds and had 1 assist and 1 steal.
NEXT UP: Unless visiting Oklahoma City (1-4) can come up with an upset win against Los Angeles (3-2), The Big One will become the third 4-2 team in the West Division, joining Sacramento and San Jose. L.A. handled the Lariats by 36 points on the road in their previous meeting.
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