I was going to name this post “There’ll Beno Losing Tonight!” but I find the score to be more to the point and aesthetically pleasing. On a night when Kevin Martin was mediocre, the Kings played without question their strongest game of the season Sunday.

Beno Udrih, who somehow was considered not worthy of a roster spot on the currently point guard-less Timberwolves, threw up 23 on the board against a really good Pistons team. In the third quarter when it is normally KMart’s time to shine, Beno made driving layups, midrange jumpers and sick alley-oop passes to take a six-point halftime deficit and turn it into a three-point lead after three.

The most confusing part of the night without question was the suddenly capable play of Mikki Moore. How he managed to score 10 points and grab nine boards against a non-middle school team is beyond me. He hustled, he got rebounds, he cut to the basket for dunks. It was special. If he can do that more often than his previous ‘baby deer taking its first steps’ approach I will be giddy.

Udrih was the star of the show, however, as he added four rebounds and six assists to his all-around studly effort. At one point the strange woman known as “sign lady” at ARCO held up a sign that said “We’ve Got Beno Mania.” I know I do!

As far as the Pistons go, I was surprised by a few things.

1. “Facemask” Hamilton missed three free throws.
2. Rasheed only got one technical, and
3. Jason Maxiell is completely out of control at all times. Apparently Flip Saunders promises him jewels if he runs full speed into at least a dozen people in 10 minutes of action.

Great win for the Kings. Something to build on, perhaps.

Martin Meter - 6-for-17, 19 points (W) (20+ shots - 2-0, < 20 shots - 2-6)