By Ailene Voisin
avoisin@sacbee.com
Halftime: Magic 61, Kings 58
The Kings seem to like this new arena. They shot 61 percent in the first quarter and 54 percent for the half.
Running, dunking, deep shooting.
Beno Udrih's three from the left side put Sacramento up 46-35. If they protected the ball a little better, they might have had a halftime lead. But consecutive turnovers and a blown dunk by Donte Greene led to a pair of three's and Ryan Anderson's three-point play. Just like that, the game was tied.
Orlando took its first lead on a monstrous slam by El Dorado Hills' Anderson, trailing on the break.
Jermaine Taylor's steal of the inbounds pass and resulting layup kept the Kings within three at intermission. But it looks like Samuel Dalembert might not return. He got poked in the eye midway into the period and went to the locker room to get checked by Magic team doctors.
First Quarter: Kings, 31, Magic 24
ORLANDO - The Kings are playing their most inspired basketball in weeks.
Go figure.
They came out and controlled the opening quarter from the beginning. They are playing fast, moving the ball, making shots. More than anything, there is an intensity and sense of urgency. Very, very focused. I don't know how long it will last - this is a terrific Magic opponent - but the Kings are impressive.
Jermaine Taylor led the Kings with 11 points, Omri Casspi contributed seven, Jason Thompson blocked two shots. This is a major improvement over last night's anemic effort in Miami.
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