Martin McNeal writes that only the Kings could reverse their scoring reputation and now be known as a defensive force.  

But their chances to emerge from their series with the Timberwolves are also going in reverse.

The Kings defended everybody but Latrell Sprewell in their Game 5 loss to the Wolves in Minnesota, giving the Wolves the 3-2 advantage and pushing the Kings to the bring of elimination.

Sprewell was driving hard to the basket and applying pressure to the Kings? defense.  He did this repeatedly and saw the good results he wanted.  

"He gets himself going by attacking the basket, and then he's making shots," King coach Rick Adelman said.  "But if we keep shooting 33 percent, like I keep saying, it's going to be hard to win. We've got to get an offensive game going here, and we don't have a lot of time to do it."

Game 6 is Sunday afternoon at Arco Arena.  The Kings will try to force a decisive Game 7 at the Target Center.