Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Ron Artest scored 24 points to lead Sacramento past New Orleans, 112-103, at ARCO Arena.

Brad Miller posted a double-double with 22 points and a game-high 14 rebounds and Kevin Martin added 22 points for the Kings, who have won three straight games.

"The guys came out tonight and set the tone early," said Sacramento coach Reggie Theus. "They put on an exhibition on how to cut and move with the ball and look for your teammate. I thought that every single guy, even the guys on the bench, did exactly what they needed to do to win the basketball game."

Peja Stojakovic recorded a game-high 25 points for the Hornets, losers of two straight after a nine-game win streak. Tyson Chandler had 21 points and Chris Paul picked up 15 points and dished out 19 assists in a losing cause.

"We are just not focused," said New Orleans coach Byron Scott. "I don't know if we took this game very seriously. We have to play like the best every night. We were not ready to play."

Sacramento seized control of the game with a 12-4 first-quarter run to take a 20-9 lead on an Artest jumper midway through. The Kings continued to pour it on and took a 34-19 edge after one.

New Orleans continued to be at the home team's mercy, falling behind by as much as 26 points before inching back within 66-44 at the break. The Hornets recovered in the third quarter, eventually cutting their deficit to 94-82 before an Artest layup at the end of the period made it a 14-point Kings edge.

The Hornets continued to slowly chip away throughout the fourth quarter, using a 12-7 run to come within seven, 108-101 on a Chandler free throw with 2:45 remaining.

However, Miller hit two free throws and Martin sank a jumper down the stretch, and the Kings walked away with a nine-point victory.