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ORLANDO, Fla. -- If the Sacramento Kings were at all tired after their marathon loss to Miami on Tuesday night, it didnt show. John Salmons had 21 points to lead six players in double-figures, helping the hot-shooting Sacramento Kings cruise to a 125-101 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. The Kings were coming off a double-overtime loss to the Heat, but showed few signs of a hangover, knocking down 10 3-pointers and shooting 54 per cent (46 of 84) for the night. They also shared the ball, finishing with 31 assists. Reserve Marcus Thornton added 20 points, leading a bench that produced 64 points. "When we play the type of basketball that we played tonight, were a tough team to beat, and the night before as well," Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins said. "These past two nights are probably the best basketball we played all season." The win ends a six-game losing streak and snaps a string of nine consecutive road losses. It also marks the Kings first season sweep of the Magic in nine years. Its just a speck on what has been a dismal year, but was still a night Sacramento coach Keith Smart hopes his team files away for future reference. "The problem with our team is that when they give up on who succeeds and allow the team to function first, theyve been able to play and compete against everyone," he said. "It all comes down to if our guys can be selfless and give themselves up." Tobias Harris led the Magic with a career-high 23 points, followed by Arron Afflalo with 15. Orlando has lost 29 of its last 33 games and still hasnt won back-to-back games since mid-December. The Kings led by as many as 33 in the second half and didnt let up until late, as their field goal percentage hovered near 60 per cent. They also took care of the ball, committing no turnovers in the third quarter. Orlando was a step behind throughout with 18 turnovers that led to 20 Sacramento points. "At the end of the day the games about wins and losses," Magic forward Al Harrington said. "We wanted to win. Unfortunately we ran into a hot team. They make a lot of jump shots, when we tried to get adjusted to that they made a layup. Just one of those nights when we couldnt get a stop." The Kings started a little sluggish before ending the first quarter on a 29-9 run to take a 14-point lead into the second. The momentum carried over as Sacramento led by as many 25 points and was up a comfortable 67-44 at halftime. Sacramento had five players in double-figures by the break and hit shots from everywhere, shooting 62 per cent in the half (28 for 45). The Kings also got several runouts that led to easy fast-break points. The Magic came in at just 35 per cent (15 of 42). "Weve had stretches like this earlier in the season, where were moving the ball ... then we kind of take a step back," Salmons said. "Just have to stay consistent on moving the ball like we have been doing. We need to focus on our defence and give ourselves a chance." Orlando has little time to stew over its latest poor effort, though, hosting Houston on Friday. Magic coach Jacque Vaughn refused to give his team a pass for its shortcomings, despite playing six games in just nine nights. "Thats part of the NBA," he said. "Theres a bunch of guys in that locker room where they havent played six games in nine nights before. So this is new and the thing is to learn from is so when it happens the next time were better." NOTES: Magic PG Jameer Nelson missed his fourth straight game with a left patella contusion. ... Smart said that C Cole Aldrich, who was acquired as part of the Houston trade last week, is expected to join the team Friday when Sacramento ends its current five-game road trip in San Antonio. He has been finishing up some medical testing. ... Orlando dropped to 2-8 in the second game of back-to-backs this season. Cheap Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Forget about Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson. Cheap Jerseys From China . Whether the NFLs all-star game will return next season is something the league will ponder the next few months after the NFCs 62-35 blowout of the AFC on Sunday. http://www.cheapnfljerseyschinashop.us/ . -- Japanese teenager Yuzuru Hanyu dominated the short program Friday night at Skate America. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Victory on Saturday at the Adelboden giant slalom -- one of the oldest and most traditional venues on tour -- had the 28-year-old United States racer reflecting on his career achievements and the company hes keeping in the record books. Cheap NFL Jerseys . - These are hard times for the defending East Division champions.Its well-covered territory that the Raptors have managed to pull themselves out of their early-season abyss to become a long-shot contender for the Easts eighth and final Playoff seed. After starting the season 4-19, Dwane Casey refocused his club and saw them rally to a 19-15 record since their dismal start. Thats a .558 winning percentage over the last 34 games which, had the club managed to play at that level all season, would have them comfortably in seventh in the East with a shot at overtaking Chicago for sixth. Of course, the Raptors have NOT played at that level all season, and as their loss to Washington on Monday night showed, they are still capable of playing far below that level despite their noteworthy winning percentage since mid-December. Even still, the organization and fan base are holding out hope that they can make a late-season push for that last Playoff spot. At just 4.5 games behind Milwaukee they are at least in a position to make a serious run at the postseason over the next few weeks. Heres the question though: would making the Playoffs actually be a good thing this season? On the surface the answer is an unequivocal yes. Getting young players into the Playoffs early in their careers can pay huge dividends down the road. It teaches them early how arduous Playoff basketball can be. It shows them how hard they have to work to make it there and, more importantly, how much harder they have to work once theyve gotten there. That kind of experience establishes a new perspective for players, and for a team as young as the Raptors that could be invaluable as they look to take the next step as an organization. However, there are other factors in play as it relates to this organization taking the next step forward, and some of those other factors could be significantly impinged upon by a postseason appearance. The most obvious advantage to just missing the Playoffs is that the Raptors can quickly transfer the first-round pick that they owe to Oklahoma City (via Houston) as a result of the Kyle Lowry trade. This upcoming draft is not looked upon favourably, and completing the Lowry acquisition by sending along a mid-first round pick would ensure that Toronto got Lowry for a tremendous value, regardless of his up-and-down play this season. Plus, if the pick can be transferred this spring, it not only completes the Lowry transaction but it also puts Torontos future draft picks back into play, both as assets in upcoming drafts and as assets in potential trades. Due to the obscure Stepien Rule, NBA teams cannot trade first round draft picks in consecutive drafts. Since the Raptors dont currently know when the pick that they used to acquire Lowry will be conveyed (thanks to its unique protections that dictate the circumstances under which the pick will change hands), they cannot trade any first round draft picks prior to 2018. Finishing outside the Playoffs this season means the pick gets transferred this June and the Raptors can start planning the use of their subsequent picks in future drafts or in trades. Another wrinkle that crops up if the Raptors make the postseason is the possibility of the club overvaluing the meaning of squeaking into eighth seed. They wouldnt be the first cclub to crash the Playoffs only to assume that they were a lot closer than they were to contending while turning a blind eye to the very real structural problems on the roster.dddddddddddd Philly did it in 2008 when they went all-in with Elton Brand after sneaking into the seventh seed with a sub-.500 record. Chicago did the same thing in 2006 with Ben Wallace. Heck, the Raptors ignored their very real roster construction issues when they decided they were in win-now mode and brought in Jermaine ONeal in 2008. Bryan Colangelo is bullish on this roster, but as Mondays game demonstrated they are nowhere close to contention-level in the East. They are a team overloaded with poor playmakers, wings that cannot space the floor and no consistent post threats on the roster. They are supposed to hang their hat on their defence but are just 21st in the NBA in defensive efficiency, and their offensive efficiency has been slipping since Jose Calderon was traded to acquire Rudy Gay. Its not that Colangelo is unaware of these issues, he has access to the same stats (and more) that everyone else does. Making it to the Playoffs, though, can have a blinding effect about a teams actual standing in the NBA power structure. The difference between being eighth and tenth in terms of record will be miniscule, yet the impression being eighth has is categorically different than the impression that being tenth has. Even if the Raptors make the Playoffs they need to approach the summer with a tenth place mentality, their roster is still that imbalanced, yet during his time in Toronto Colangelo has not demonstrated a ton of that kind of perspective. It should also be noted that even if the Raptors dont make the Playoffs, they have made tremendous strides this season. They are winning far more consistently, they are developing an identity as a real grinding, hustling team (even if the defensive stopping power traditionally associated with that style hasnt fully materialized yet) and they have some very intriguing pieces to build around. Considering where they were over the last two years thatsORLANDO, Fla. -- If the Sacramento Kings were at all tired after their marathon loss to Miami on Tuesday night, it didnt show. John Salmons had 21 points to lead six players in double-figures, helping the hot-shooting Sacramento Kings cruise to a 125-101 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. The Kings were coming off a double-overtime loss to the Heat, but showed few signs of a hangover, knocking down 10 3-pointers and shooting 54 per cent (46 of 84) for the night. They also shared the ball, finishing with 31 assists. Reserve Marcus Thornton added 20 points, leading a bench that produced 64 points. "When we play the type of basketball that we played tonight, were a tough team to beat, and the night before as well," Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins said. "These past two nights are probably the best basketball we played all season." The win ends a six-game losing streak and snaps a string of nine consecutive road losses. It also marks the Kings first season sweep of the Magic in nine years. Its just a speck on what has been a dismal year, but was still a night Sacramento coach Keith Smart hopes his team files away for future reference. "The problem with our team is that when they give up on who succeeds and allow the team to function first, theyve been able to play and compete against everyone," he said. "It all comes down to if our guys can be selfless and give themselves up." Tobias Harris led the Magic with a career-high 23 points, followed by Arron Afflalo with 15. Orlando has lost 29 of its last 33 games and still hasnt won back-to-back games since mid-December. The Kings led by as many as 33 in the second half and didnt let up until late, as their field goal percentage hovered near 60 per cent. They also took care of the ball, committing no turnovers in the third quarter. Orlando was a step behind throughout with 18 turnovers that led to 20 Sacramento points. "At the end of the day the games about wins and losses," Magic forward Al Harrington said. "We wanted to win. Unfortunately we ran into a hot team. They make a lot of jump shots, when we tried to get adjusted to that they made a layup. Just one of those nights when we couldnt get a stop." The Kings started a little sluggish before ending the first quarter on a 29-9 run to take a 14-point lead into the second. The momentum carried over as Sacramento led by as many 25 points and was up a comfortable 67-44 at halftime. Sacramento had five players in double-figures by the break and hit shots from everywhere, shooting 62 per cent in the half (28 for 45). The Kings also got several runouts that led to easy fast-break points. The Magic came in at just 35 per cent (15 of 42). "Weve had stretches like this earlier in the season, where were moving the ball ... then we kind of take a step back," Salmons said. "Just have to stay consistent on moving the ball like we have been doing. We need to focus on our defence and give ourselves a chance." Orlando has little time to stew over its latest poor effort, though, hosting Houston on Friday. Magic coach Jacque Vaughn refused to give his team a pass for its shortcomings, despite playing six games in just nine nights. "Thats part of the NBA," he said. "Theres a bunch of guys in that locker room where they havent played six games in nine nights before. So this is new and the thing is to learn from is so when it happens the next time were better." NOTES: Magic PG Jameer Nelson missed his fourth straight game with a left patella contusion. ... Smart said that C Cole Aldrich, who was acquired as part of the Houston trade last week, is expected to join the team Friday when Sacramento ends its current five-game road trip in San Antonio. He has been finishing up some medical testing. ... Orlando dropped to 2-8 in the second game of back-to-backs this season. Cheap Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Forget about Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson. Cheap Jerseys From China . Whether the NFLs all-star game will return next season is something the league will ponder the next few months after the NFCs 62-35 blowout of the AFC on Sunday. http://www.cheapnfljerseyschinashop.us/ . -- Japanese teenager Yuzuru Hanyu dominated the short program Friday night at Skate America. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Victory on Saturday at the Adelboden giant slalom -- one of the oldest and most traditional venues on tour -- had the 28-year-old United States racer reflecting on his career achievements and the company hes keeping in the record books. Cheap NFL Jerseys . - These are hard times for the defending East Division champions.Its well-covered territory that the Raptors have managed to pull themselves out of their early-season abyss to become a long-shot contender for the Easts eighth and final Playoff seed. After starting the season 4-19, Dwane Casey refocused his club and saw them rally to a 19-15 record since their dismal start. Thats a .558 winning percentage over the last 34 games which, had the club managed to play at that level all season, would have them comfortably in seventh in the East with a shot at overtaking Chicago for sixth. Of course, the Raptors have NOT played at that level all season, and as their loss to Washington on Monday night showed, they are still capable of playing far below that level despite their noteworthy winning percentage since mid-December. Even still, the organization and fan base are holding out hope that they can make a late-season push for that last Playoff spot. At just 4.5 games behind Milwaukee they are at least in a position to make a serious run at the postseason over the next few weeks. Heres the question though: would making the Playoffs actually be a good thing this season? On the surface the answer is an unequivocal yes. Getting young players into the Playoffs early in their careers can pay huge dividends down the road. It teaches them early how arduous Playoff basketball can be. It shows them how hard they have to work to make it there and, more importantly, how much harder they have to work once theyve gotten there. That kind of experience establishes a new perspective for players, and for a team as young as the Raptors that could be invaluable as they look to take the next step as an organization. However, there are other factors in play as it relates to this organization taking the next step forward, and some of those other factors could be significantly impinged upon by a postseason appearance. The most obvious advantage to just missing the Playoffs is that the Raptors can quickly transfer the first-round pick that they owe to Oklahoma City (via Houston) as a result of the Kyle Lowry trade. This upcoming draft is not looked upon favourably, and completing the Lowry acquisition by sending along a mid-first round pick would ensure that Toronto got Lowry for a tremendous value, regardless of his up-and-down play this season. Plus, if the pick can be transferred this spring, it not only completes the Lowry transaction but it also puts Torontos future draft picks back into play, both as assets in upcoming drafts and as assets in potential trades. Due to the obscure Stepien Rule, NBA teams cannot trade first round draft picks in consecutive drafts. Since the Raptors dont currently know when the pick that they used to acquire Lowry will be conveyed (thanks to its unique protections that dictate the circumstances under which the pick will change hands), they cannot trade any first round draft picks prior to 2018. Finishing outside the Playoffs this season means the pick gets transferred this June and the Raptors can start planning the use of their subsequent picks in future drafts or in trades. Another wrinkle that crops up if the Raptors make the postseason is the possibility of the club overvaluing the meaning of squeaking into eighth seed. They wouldnt be the first cclub to crash the Playoffs only to assume that they were a lot closer than they were to contending while turning a blind eye to the very real structural problems on the roster.dddddddddddd Philly did it in 2008 when they went all-in with Elton Brand after sneaking into the seventh seed with a sub-.500 record. Chicago did the same thing in 2006 with Ben Wallace. Heck, the Raptors ignored their very real roster construction issues when they decided they were in win-now mode and brought in Jermaine ONeal in 2008. Bryan Colangelo is bullish on this roster, but as Mondays game demonstrated they are nowhere close to contention-level in the East. They are a team overloaded with poor playmakers, wings that cannot space the floor and no consistent post threats on the roster. They are supposed to hang their hat on their defence but are just 21st in the NBA in defensive efficiency, and their offensive efficiency has been slipping since Jose Calderon was traded to acquire Rudy Gay. Its not that Colangelo is unaware of these issues, he has access to the same stats (and more) that everyone else does. Making it to the Playoffs, though, can have a blinding effect about a teams actual standing in the NBA power structure. The difference between being eighth and tenth in terms of record will be miniscule, yet the impression being eighth has is categorically different than the impression that being tenth has. Even if the Raptors make the Playoffs they need to approach the summer with a tenth place mentality, their roster is still that imbalanced, yet during his time in Toronto Colangelo has not demonstrated a ton of that kind of perspective. It should also be noted that even if the Raptors dont make the Playoffs, they have made tremendous strides this season. They are winning far more consistently, they are developing an identity as a real grinding, hustling team (even if the defensive stopping power traditionally associated with that style hasnt fully materialized yet) and they have some very intriguing pieces to build around. Considering where they were over the last two years thats an achievement, even if it doesnt have the same kind of panache as a postseason berth would have on the public perception of the club. None of this is meant to suggest that making the Playoffs would be any kind of failure. There are plenty of positive takeaways to a postseason series, even a four-and-out sweep, and if the Raptors could manage it, it would speak to a real growth in the clubs ability to grind out necessary wins to achieve a preseason goal. Still, there are Playoff teams and there are contenders, and what the Raptors really want to be is the latter, not the former. The fact that they are even in a position to be talking Playoffs is an achievement considering the way the season started, and it may just play into the clubs long-term goals to have that be their biggest achievement this year. Missing the Playoffs would give the front office the perspective that it needs heading into this offseason, while also providing the roster with the confidence and hunger that they will need to make it to the Playoffs next season. It wouldnt be a sexy end to the season but it could pay off next year and beyond. ' ' ' s would be any kind of failure. There are plenty of positive takeaways to a postseason series, even a four-and-out sweep, and if the Raptors could manage it, it would speak to a real growth in the clubs ability to grind out necessary wins to achieve a preseason goal. Still, there are Playoff teams and there are contenders, and what the Raptors really want to be is the latter, not the former. The fact that they are even in a position to be talking Playoffs is an achievement considering the way the season started, and it may just play into the clubs long-term goals to have that be their biggest achievement this year. Missing the Playoffs would give the front office the perspective that it needs heading into this offseason, while also providing the roster with the confidence and hunger that they will need to make it to the Playoffs next season. It wouldnt be a sexy end to the season but it could pay off next year and beyond. ' ' '
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