Kings 112, Jazz 96

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Mike Bibby scored 23 points and Kevin Martin added 20 to help the Sacramento Kings defeat the Utah Jazz 112-96 in a preseason game Friday night. Despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter, Bibby was the difference for Sacramento (3-1).

He was 4-of-4 from 3-point range, 6-of-12 overall, 7-of-7 from the free throw line and handed out seven assists to help Sacramento win its preseason home opener. Ron Artest added 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals for the Kings. Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Ahead by three points at the half, Martin helped the Kings increase their lead by scoring 12 points in the third quarter on 5-of-5 shooting, leading Sacramento to an 84-74 advantage going into the final quarter. A slimmed-down Bibby, who lost 18 pounds in the offseason, had 14 points in the opening half, helping the Kings take a 50-47 lead. Williams scored 13 for Utah, which committed 25 turnovers in the game.

Although he didn t start due to back spasms, Artest made his presence felt in the opening half. Entering the game late in the first quarter, he made a 3-pointer within 18 seconds. He showed no effects of a sore back in playing the entire second quarter, finishing the first half with 12 points.