SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former Sacramento guard Mike Bibby scored 29 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the short-handed Kings 105-100 on Wednesday night.
Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento.
Earlier in the day, the Kings acquired four players in a deal that sent starters Brad Miller and John Salmons to Chicago. The Kings received Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Michael Ruffin from Chicago. The Kings then sent Ruffin to Portland for Ike Diogu. To make room for the incoming players, the Kings waived Quincy Douby and Sam Cassell, the guard acquired from Boston on Tuesday.
Sacramento’s Bobby Jackson made two free throws to tie it at 100 with 57 seconds left. But the Hawks grabbed the lead right back on Joe Johnson’s short bank shot. The Hawks added three free throws in the final 41 seconds to snap an eight-game losing strekin Sacramento, dating to Feb. 23, 2000.
Johnson scored 20 points and had six assists for the Hawks. Al Horford had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Josh Smith added 12 points.
Kevin Martin had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who have lost six straight, 14 of 15 and have the worst record in the NBA. Beno Udrih scored 18 points, Francisco Garcia had 15, and Spencer Hawes fouled out in the fourth quarter with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Bibby felt right at home playing at Arco Arena for the second time with the Hawks. His trademark jumper was working from the start, evidenced by his 12 first-quarter points. Bibby added 10 more in the third quarter when Atlanta overcame a four-point halftime deficit to lead 83-77 heading into the fourth.
A veteran point guard, Bibby made four 3-pointers and added five rebounds, four assists and three steals for Atlanta, which has won three of four.
Miller was the longest-tenured King and was traded nearly one year after Bibby, who departed Sacramento on Feb. 16, 2008, in a five-player deal with Atlanta. Bibby spent 61/2 seasons in Sacramento, which included five years as Miller’s teammate. Miller and Bibby had tentative dinner plans after the game with Miller.
"Brad had a good career in Sacramento," Bibby said. "We all had good times here. But life moves on and life is moving on for him and his family. It’s a business."
Martin had 16 of his 24 points in the second quarter when the Kings overcame a 13-point deficit to lead 59-55 at the half. Notes: Kings interim coach Kenny Natt and Gooden will be reunited. Natt was an assistant with Cleveland when Gooden played for the Cavaliers. ... Atlanta coach Mike Woodson was a key contributor for the Kings when they played their first season in Sacramento after moving from Kansas City in 1985-86. ... Martin had a rare four-point play late in the second quarter.