The battle between the two best teams in the Western Conference turned into a rout. Now it's Chris Webber and the Sacramento Kings who say they're the best.
Webber had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists for his second triple-double of the season as Sacramento dominated the league-leading Dallas Mavericks 123-94 on Wednesday night at Arco Arena.
Peja Stojakovic added six 3-pointers, and the Kings handed the Mavericks their worst loss this season.
The Kings looked like the NBA's best team -- even if they don't have the league's best record. Sacramento (29-10) still trails Dallas (31-6) in the overall standings, but there is plenty of time left in the season.
``Everybody's saying they've got great players -- the best power forward, the best point guard -- but you've still got to come out and play the game,'' Webber said. ``It takes a while to develop what we've got. You can't just wake up one morning and say you're going to do something.''
Webber had his 16th career triple-double, and Stojakovic finished with 23 points in the first meeting this season between the Western Conference division leaders.
Rockets 102, Suns 96
At Houston, Cuttino Mobley scored a season-high 30 points and Steve Francis added 19 for the Rockets.
Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire had 24 points and 13 rebounds, including a pair of highlight-reel dunks over 2.29m Yao Ming.
76ers 108, Nets 107
At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson scored 34 points, including five free throws in the final minute, to help the 76ers snap a six-game losing streak.
Keith Van Horn scored 16 points in his first game against his old team. Lucious Harris scored a season-high 26 points, Kenyon Martin had 24 and a career-high 16 rebounds, and Richard Jefferson added 20 for New Jersey, which had won 10 of 11.
Nets star Jason Kidd had a season-high 16 assists, but missed 17 of 21 shots and finished with just nine points.
Lakers 90, Hornets 82
At New Orleans, Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and had 11 rebounds, while Shaquille O'Neal scored 10 of his 23 points in the final period to lead the Lakers to their fifth-straight victory.
O'Neal also had 11 rebounds for Los Angeles, which held New Orleans without a field goal for the last 8:20.
Celtics 86, Hawks 66
At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 28 points as the Celtics snapped a three-game losing streak.
Bucks 99, Raptors 87
At Toronto, Sam Cassell scored 19 points to lead Milwaukee to its fourth straight victory.
The Raptors dressed the NBA minimum eight players. All-Star Vince Carter missed his 19th straight game with a strained right knee.
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