Kings snap losing skid as Sonics continue slide

SEATTLE – Kevin Martin scored 31 points, Ron Artest had 29 and the Sacramento Kings broke away in the final period for a 120-107 victory over the Seattle Supersonics on Sunday night.

Francisco Garcia also contributed 21 points for Sacramento (33-40), which had lost four of its previous five games.

Kevin Durant scored 25 points to lead Seattle. Jeff Green scored 21 and Earl Watson had 20.

The Sonics (17-57), with the worst record in the Western Conference, have lost 14 of their last 16 games. The Sonics also haven’t beaten the Kings in Seattle since Nov. 20, 2005, a five-game losing streak.

This might have been their last shot as the team’s new ownership, under Clay Bennett, is trying to set up a move to Oklahoma City, perhaps by next season. The Sonics may have only four more home games after 41 years in Seattle.

The Kings’ had a 11-0 run to end the third period then a 10-2 run early in the fourth quarter to pull away.

It took the Kings nearly three quarters to lead by more than a basket. Artest’s layup with 1:38 left in the third gave the Kings a 87-83 lead.

The Sonics missed their final eight shots of the third quarter.

The Sonics scored the first six points of the final period before the Kings snapped back. Coming out of a timeout, they sprinted out on a 10-2 run for a 104-91 lead with 7:47 left.

The lead changed hands seven times in the second quarter, although the Kings never led by more than two points in the half. Luke Ridnour’s 20-footer with 4.7 seconds – his lone basket of the game – allowed the Sonics to take a 65-62 lead into the half.