Heaps of Martin, a dash of Salmons

They laugh at it now, scoff at how simplistic and ridiculous the notion really was.

By drafting Francisco García in 2005, the Kings were clearly showing their lack of faith in the pick that came before him.

And if Kevin Martin wasn't threatened by the newest wingman, well, then the kid from Western Carolina was clearly a bit naïve.

But that future has long since been upon them. And the present Monday night at Arco Arena featured the young players at their best all at once, with Martin scoring 39 points off the bench in an absurdly efficient 28 minutes, and García contributing 22 in a raucous 122-120 win over Dallas.

The night ended with Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof storming the floor, a feat so rare these days, it said plenty about the events that inspired him to do so. In what was easily the wildest finish this season for the Kings and perhaps the league at large, a running eight-footer from John Salmons with 2.4 seconds left capped a final stretch in which the Mavericks tied the score five times and the Kings answered every time.

Martin had taken his turn just before Salmons, this despite a smiling – yet dead serious – plea from García before play resumed with 22 seconds left to pass it his way if he had the open look. Martin took it instead, running off a Brad Miller screen near the free-throw line and sinking a shot in the lane that, with contact from DeSagana Diop, became a three-point play and a 120-118 lead with 11.6 seconds remaining.

The Kings overcame a Mavericks offense that scored on 10 of its last 11 possessions, and even took a one-point lead on Jason Terry's three-point play with 22.2 seconds left – its first since the second quarter. The Kings overcame a Mavericks team that had won seven in a row coming in, the feat resulting in a 3-1 homestand that served as the perfect precursor to a pivotal road trip. While the return of Mike Bibby had long been slated for Wednesday in Toronto, small forward Ron Artest surprisingly announcing his intent to return from Jan. 2 elbow surgery at least a week early to face the Raptors.

After the crowd of 14,077 cheered and the Kings danced among each other, the young duo shared the glory on opposite sides of the floor.

García was the one reminiscing with the radio crew, while Martin – who scored 12 fourth-quarter points in his second game back from a Dec. 4 groin injury – sat on the television side reliving the finish.

"Our relationship has been growing by the years," García said of he and Martin. "The first year we didn't really talk that much. Last year we started hanging out. Now when we play together, we know what we do, know where we are, and we play together.

"I'm happy for him because he worked so hard. Just to see him come back and play so well is big for us."

It was more than big. It was a near career-high for Martin on an unconscious 14-of-16 shooting that brought his two-game comeback tally to 21 of 25 from the field. It was a season-high in the league for points off the bench, tying Chicago's Ben Gordon in that category. And while it was certainly more than enough to warrant Martin being reinserted into the starting lineup, he said he prefers to stay in this role for now.

"I told coach (Reggie Theus), 'I can only give you 28 minutes a night right now,' " Martin said. "He said, 'as long as it's good.' … I don't think it's the right time yet (to start), even for me personally. I feel like it's training camp Day No. 3, and I've still got to get back in the flow on the court, get my timing down and get my wind back, so I'm definitely not ready to play starter minutes right now and I don't need to."

Theus, who called Martin's performance "borderline unbelievable," said Martin had certainly earned his spot back but indicated the two would talk about the best plan.

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582. Read his blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.