Talent-rich Kings built to overcome

MINNEAPOLIS — The Sacramento Kings are one of the few teams with enough talent to consistently overcome off nights by their leading scorer.

That’s important, because Peja Stojakovic’s game has become curiously inconsistent.

The sharp-shooting Serbian averaged a career-best 24.2 points per game this season, his sixth in the league, but he’s had his share of pedestrian performances since playing in his third straight All-Star game in February.

That included a 14-point, 5-for-15 effort in Game 1 of Sacramento’s Western Conference semifinal series against Minnesota.

“They did a good job,” said Stojakovic, who was guarded primarily by the Timberwolves’ defensive specialist, Trenton Hassell. “I was rushing some of my shots, but I have to keep playing my game. Keep being aggressive.”

Remember, though, this critical detail from Tuesday’s game at Target Center: Kings 104, Timberwolves 98.

“In the playoffs you’re not really thinking about missed shots or free-throw percentages,” Stojakovic said. “You just keep thinking about wins and losses.”

Game 2 is tonight, and Sacramento has already stolen top-seeded Minnesota’s homecourt advantage.