The Sacramento Kings have a knack for clutch performances in must-win playoff games. So Chris Webber vowed that his team will force a Game 7 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Kings trail the second-round series 3-2 heading into today's Game 6 at Sacramento. A seventh game would be Wednesday at Minneapolis.
"I was telling my friends to make sure they make their reservations for Tuesday or Wednesday — or whenever it is we play," Webber said after losing to Minnesota 86-74 Friday night.
It won't be easy for the Kings, though.
The Timberwolves tied Indiana for the best regular-season road record and already have won three times this season at raucous Arco Arena, where the cow bells will be clanging.
"It's all about momentum, and right now I feel we have the momentum," league MVP Kevin Garnett said Saturday after practice in Minneapolis. "This is it. This is THE game."
Latrell Sprewell burned the Kings for 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Game 5, but he has yet to produce back-to-back dominant games this postseason.
And the Wolves need Sam Cassell to play through back spasms for a second straight game. He played superbly early in the series but had just three points in 31 minutes Friday.
"We're contesting every shot," Sprewell said. "We're not giving them layups and not too many transition points. So, if you can limit them, limit their layups and try to get a hand up on every shot, that's going to help bring their percentages down . . .
"We have to take care of the ball. We had 24 turnovers in Game 4 — far too many for our team."
If the Kings can't respond in Game 6, this will mark a fourth straight disappointing end to the postseason. With a talent-rich roster led by Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby, Sacramento had been picked to go deep in the playoffs.
Backup point guard Bobby Jackson might return for the Kings after missing all of the playoffs with a slight abdominal tear. While he won't be at full strength, he has a history of big games against his former team.
Jackson, the NBA's top sixth man last season, missed all but one of the Kings' final 29 regular-season games with the injury. He averaged 13.8 points and 3.5 rebounds this season.
"No disrespect to Bobby, but it don't matter if he plays or not," Webber said. "Right now you've got to think all you've got is us."