Lockdown -- A term used to describe the Kings fourth quarter defense against the Hornets Saturday night at ARCO Arena.

Limiting New Orleans to just 25 percent (6-of-24) from the field in the final period, Sacramento upset the Western Conference leader 94-91.

Needing to win all three of their regular season games to clinch the West title, the Hornets fell for the second time in as many nights, while Sacramento won for the second time in 24 hours.

"Phil Jackson said, ‘Watch out for the Kings. They’ll play a part in what’s happening to the West down the stretch," Coach Reggie Theus said with a smile. "We’re mucking it up. I can’t do anything but smile about it because that’s been our goal. We're going to be here working anyways, so let’s have some fun and muck it up. Make the West take notice that this team isn’t sitting back."

While John Salmons was the Kings consistent contributor throughout the night, notching 18 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, it was Ron Artest who found his offensive rhythm at the perfect time. The Kings mighty forward scored 12 of his 22 points in the final 12 minutes, while shooting 4-of-5 from long range in the quarter. Artest also tallied eight boards, four assists and three steals.

"I would say that coming into the game, even with the importance of it, you really didn’t know what would happen," Theus said. "But from the beginning to the end, we outplayed them.”

The lead changed just nine times as neither team was able to gain a lead of more than eight points. The Hornets made it tough on the Kings by winning the battle of the boards 46-43 and outscoring the Kings on the fast break 13-8, but the Kings answered with sound shooting and making the most of the Hornets turnovers.

Sacramento shot 49 percent from the field and 33 percent from long range, while the Hornets shot just 38 percent from the field and 17 percent from distance. Both teams committed 17 turnovers, but Sacramento outscored New Orleans 25-16 in points off of mistakes.

“We played defense pretty well," Beno Udrih said. "The last couple games especially, we’ve really stepped it up on defense.”

Shadowed by Salmons, Quincy Douby and Udrih throughout the night, possible League MVP, Chris Paul managed just 14 points while shooting 4-of-13 from the field. Although his shot wasn't dropping with as much regularity as usual, Paul still dished out 12 of his teams' game-high 19 assists.

“He’s so fast, quick and sees all the players very well," Francisco Garcia said. "We did a pretty good job against him.”

David West received a majority of Paul's dimes as he scored 30 points to go along with 15 rebounds. While West carried the offensive load through much of three quarters for the Hornets, he was held to just 1-of-6 shooting from the field in the fourth.

Just as they had against the Blazers, the Kings used a balanced attack that once again featured a number of players sporting headbands in honor of Brad Miller. Garcia led the Kings reserves with 16 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and three blocks. Shelden Williams scored nine points and grabbed four boards while Douby contributed five points.

“I think we look good in the headbands," Garcia said. "We play better.”

Kevin Martin dressed for the contest, but didn't play due to a strained right knee.

Spencer Hawes again stepped up with a strong all-around performance while starting at center. The rookie finished with 11 points, five boards, three assists and one block. Hawes scored four of the Kings first six points with feathery jumpers that made Tyson Chandler look helpless on defense and energized his team and the crowd from the get-go.

Peja Stojakovic came into the game averaging a League-best three 3-pointers per game and third best 3-point percentage (45). The former Kings forward, however, wasn't his typical self, scoring 18 points while shooting 2-of-11 from beyond the arc.

“We guarded the three-point line," Theus said. "This team makes a living on the 3-point line. John and Ron guarded Peja and their 3-point shooters very well tonight. Peja couldn’t really get free to find his threes.”

The Kings won the season series against the Hornets 2-1 and boosted the team's record to 6-2 in the past eight games. Sacramento's win also improved its record to 7-12 in the second game of back-to-back sets.

Eighty games into the 82-game season, the Kings conclude the season with a back-to-back set against the Spurs at home and the Lakers in Los Angeles on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

“I’m very proud and very impressed with our players who are taking pride in finishing the season strong," Theus said. "And that’s been our goal. We weren’t talking about winning the games. We were talking about finishing strong.”

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Closing Thought:
In the sixth and final month of the regular season, the Kings continue to practice what Coach Reggie Theus has been preaching since the first day of training camp.

“If you play harder than the other team, you’re going to get a chance to win. And that’s what’s happening down the stretch," Theus said. "We’re just making plays, playing together and playing hard. I’m very proud of our team for that.”