Kings topple Knicks in OT, but all eyes are on Artest

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mike Bibby and Brad Miller made the wait for Ron Artest a little easier for the Sacramento Kings.

Bibby scored eight of his 35 points in overtime and added 10 assists, and Miller had 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead the short-handed Kings over the New York Knicks 106-102 on Wednesday night.

Sacramento acquired the volatile Artest from the Indiana Pacers for Peja Stojakovic in a trade shortly before the game. The Kings hope Artest, a superb all-around player who is one of the league's best defenders, will join them in time for their game at Boston on Friday night.

In the meantime, the Kings -- playing for the second straight night -- used only eight players and got just three points from their bench while winning for the first time on their six-game eastern road trip.

Stephon Marbury scored 22 points in his return to the lineup after missing three straight games with a sprained left shoulder for the Knicks, who lost their sixth straight game and were dealing with their own distractions.

The Knicks began the day by having to deal with questions about a former team executive's federal sexual harassment lawsuit filed against team president Isiah Thomas on Tuesday. Thomas defended himself Wednesday and said Anucha Browne Sanders, the Knicks' former senior vice president of marketing and business operations, was trying to use him for financial gain.

Maurice Taylor had 21 points and 12 rebounds for New York, and Eddy Curry contributed 17 points and 10 boards.

Taylor's two free throws gave the Knicks an 87-86 lead with 1:20 left in regulation, and he followed with a basket for a three-point lead. Miller made two free throws, then had a chance to give the Kings the lead when he was fouled by Marbury with 1.3 seconds left. But his first free throw somehow went in and out, and the second one bounced in to tie it at 89.

Marbury missed a corner jumper as time expired.

The Knicks' Qyntel Woods made a 3-pointer to open overtime, but Bibby scored the next four points to give the Kings the lead for good. Neither team scored again until Kenny Thomas converted a three-point play, and Miller then added two free throws to make it 98-92.

Bibby scored a career-high 44 points in the Kings' loss at Philadelphia.

The Knicks led 45-36 with 4 minutes left in the second quarter before the Kings closed the half with a 12-2 run. Bibby's 3-pointer with 38 seconds left gave Sacramento a 48-47 lead at the break.

Bibby sank three straight jumpers to end the third, extending the Kings' lead to 69-64.

Game notes
Knicks F Antonio Davis served the third game of his five-game suspension for climbing into the stands last week in Chicago. He is expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Philadelphia and will be eligible to play Monday night in Atlanta. ... Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Taylor and Curry comprised the Knicks' 23rd different starting lineup this season.