Kings beat resting Lakers 113-96 in season finale

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) DeMarcus Cousins had 23 points and 19 rebounds, Tyreke Evans scored 17 points and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers' backups 113-96 Thursday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Kobe Bryant sat out along with four other Lakers' starters, conceding the NBA scoring title to Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant. He needed 38 points to boost his average above Durant's 28 points per game.

Instead, Bryant decided to rest up for another championship chase. Los Angeles opens its first-round playoff series Sunday at home against Denver.

Sacramento finished 22-44 in the lockout-shortened season. At the very least, Kings fans have the promise of the franchise staying in the city next year - but nothing more.

The atmosphere in Sacramento had a remarkably different feel than last season's Lakers-Kings finale.

At that game on April 13, 2011, the Kings seemed destine to relocate to Anaheim. Many fans, arena workers and team personnel cried. A few thousand stayed in protest - shouting "Here we stay!" - for almost an hour after the game, and players returned to the floor to thank them all in what felt like goodbye.

In many ways, little else has changed.

The Maloof family that owns the Kings backed out of a tentative $391 million deal for a new arena with the city. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and the owners are again talking, with another meeting scheduled Friday, but the future offers no guarantee.

Brothers George and Joe Maloof sat courtside for the finale instead of leaving the seats to Lakers fans as the family did a year ago. Johnson sat across from the visitor's bench, and it was an otherwise normal night from the announced crowd of 16,281.

While the doom and gloom of the town's only professional team leaving has somewhat subsided with the Kings promising to stay next season, it still lingers until a deal is signed and a new arena is constructed.

The Lakers are in quite a different mix.

Phil Jackson is gone, and Mike Brown is ready for his first playoff run as Los Angeles' coach. With a roster recovering from injuries and Metta World Peace serving the first of his seven-game suspension for elbowing Thunder guard James Harden in the head, nobody quite knows what to expect in the postseason from this Lakers lineup.

The second string they sent out in Sacramento had no chance.

Josh McRoberts had 16 points and nine rebounds and Ramon Sessions scored 14 to lead Los Angeles, also playing without Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum in game that was never close - or contested.

Sacramento led 35-21 in the final seconds of the first quarter until Sessions - the only regular Lakers starter in the lineup - swished a 3-pointer in front of a charging Jimmer Fredette. The Kings built a 56-39 lead in the second quarter during a spurt highlighted by Terrence Williams' one-handed slam over Jordan Hill, and the rest was a formality.

And exactly why Bryant decided to rest.

Bryant, who missed seven games with a bruised left shin before playing the previous two, averaged 27.9 points per game while playing 58 games this season. Durant won the scoring title for the third straight year while playing all 66 contests, capping the regular season with 32 points in a win over the Kings a night earlier that forced Bryant to respond big in Sacramento.

Already an NBA MVP, two-time scoring champion and winner of five NBA titles, Bryant has bigger goals to chase at age 33.

That time starts Sunday.

NOTES: Lakers F Matt Barnes (sprained right ankle) also sat out. Brown said he wasn't sure Barnes would be ready for the playoff opener. ... Kings veteran John Salmons missed his 15th straight game with sore hip.

Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks Sunday, April 15th at Staples Center at 12:30PM. Catch all the action on Fox Sports West, ABC, and 710ESPN.

POSTGAME QUOTES



Mike Brown:

On Tonights Game
“Tonight we didn’t get back into transition defense and of course we rested a lot of our guys, but we better not do that when the playoffs began. They (Sacramento) have a nice young team and maybe if they get a savvy veteran or two, we will be talking about them in the playoffs as well.”

On playing Denver in the first round of the playoffs
“I know that Coach (George) Karl will tell his team to push the ball in transition and that will basically make them not have to go against our set defense. I know we are big inside, but they have some big guys in Kosta (Koufos), JaVale (McGee) and (Kenneth) Faried. We just have to go and play our game against them and not get out of our game plan. They are very versatile and they will make us play hard. We just have to make sure that offensively we move the ball from one side of the court to the other. We have to make sure that when our shots go up we have all of our guys attack the rim.”

On resting players Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum
“You want to be as healthy as possible especially going into the postseason because the competition is better and you are going to have to rely on your main core more during the playoffs. Our guys are in the right frame health-wise, and hopefully we can go into the playoffs with the right frame of mind and not let anybody outwork us.”

Kobe sitting out…
“He definitely put the team first. Sunday is when it starts over.”

Being short-handed tonight…
“There were ups and downs. They came out and played hard. We knew we were short-handed tonight but guys got some playing time that usually don’t play. Hopefully that can help out in the long run during the playoffs. You never know what could happen. Guys are getting the experience.”

Only regular starting tonight…
“I was fine with it. I’m new to the team. I still have some wrinkles that I can get out. It was good getting out there and playing with the guys.”

Playing against Denver in the playoffs…
“They all do because they move the ball extremely well. All of their positions are interchangeable so you really have to focus on each guy.”

You, Bynum and Gasol having a week off…
“It gives us an opportunity to be healthy. I feel great because of the seven games I had out.”

Boost of confidence after beating OKC…
“I think it does in the sense of we had to come back from being 18 points down. We haven’t had a game like that against a quality opponent. In the playoffs you are going to be in situations that are demanding like that. You’re down 17 or 15 points at halftime or the third quarter. You have to find a way to dig yourself out of that hole.”

Confidence going into the postseason…
“The group that we have and our versatility and our size and our ability to defend multiple positions and control the tempo -- those are championship qualities.”

On the season in terms of their expectations:
“It’s all about just a learning process, getting better. Having a really young team with this short and condensed season we just didn’t get off to a great start and that’s what hurts you, especially in short seasons. I felt like we’re continuing to get better, getting to know each other more as a group but it’s all about this offseason now and working as hard as we can to get back and be better next year.”

On what he learned this season and how hungry it makes him this offseason:
“Obviously just being a competitive person I want to come back and be able to be a better player for this team next year. Be able to go out and make this team better and help us reach where we want to go and then get to the playoffs. That’s something that we’re striving for and I’ll work as hard as I can this offseason. That’s something that’s always great – there’s always next season. So you’re able to work as hard as you can in the offseason and try to get better, get better individually so I’m looking forward to it.”

When asked what his biggest areas of improvement will be for next year:
“A couple different things – just continue to work on point guard things, screen and roll things, keeping my dribble alive, getting the shot up a little bit quicker, working on floaters and everything. So those types of things to help me get better…you can always improve and get even better.”

On the approach for the game with the limited Lakers lineup:
“Just to play all 48 minutes – we didn’t just want to let them come here and beat us – that was the plan. So coach just told us to play hard, get the win and let’s get out of here so that’s what we did.”

When asked how he’s feeling to be done with another season:
“It was a quick season but it was also different. I don’t think we were prepared for those games, they were coming back-to-back and one after another. We’ve just got to be prepared next year for 82 and just come in here and work extra hard and get better on our game.”

On the end of his rookie season:
“It’s definitely hard – I feel like I just started; I feel like it was just training camp the other week. It was hard, it went by fast. Everybody said it does go by fast and enjoy it while it lasts. I’m just mad that it’s ended already.” When asked if he wants to keep playing as opposed to being ready for a break like some of the other guys:
“I’m young – I wish it was all year round. I’m living the dream and it’s something that, ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to play in the NBA. I’m just upset that my first year is over already.”

Lakers - Kings Preview

SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN

The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to take the court again after the NBA's ruling on Metta World Peace.

The Sacramento Kings could be taking the court in California's capital city for the final time.

World Peace will begin his seven-game suspension when the Lakers visit the Kings in what could be the final NBA game at Power Balance Pavilion on Thursday night.

Banned for elbowing Oklahoma City forward James Harden in the head during the Lakers' 116-108 double-overtime win Sunday, World Peace's absence leaves Los Angeles (41-24) thin at small forward. Matt Barnes won't travel to Sacramento due to a sprained right ankle, leaving Devin Ebanks - out earlier with a stress fracture in his left leg - as coach Mike Brown's best option. "Metta has to abide by what the league says," Brown said. "Matt has to get healthy and then same with Devin. Otherwise we gotta fit guys how we can and go play the game. Nobody's going to feel sorry for us right now so we gotta figure out how to go get wins."

Los Angeles clinched the Pacific Division and No. 3 seed in the Western Conference when the Clippers lost at Atlanta on Tuesday. Thursday's other games will determine the Lakers' first-round opponent.

With no chance to affect their playoff position, the Lakers' only incentive for Thursday is whether Bryant can win the scoring title, as he's locked in a tight race with the Thunder's Kevin Durant.

"I don't care about that,'' Bryant said. "If I did, I would have went for 50 (last week) in San Antonio. They were playing me straight-up in single coverage.''

This is the second straight season the Lakers are visiting Sacramento for their regular-season finale. Once again, the Kings' future in the city is up in the air.

Near the end of last season, Anaheim's City Council issued the bonds needed to entice the franchise and new federal trademark rights were requested. The Kings' owners, the Maloof brothers, opted to give Sacramento another chance to retain the franchise.

An agreement was reached with the city on an arena deal, but that has fallen apart. The Kings (21-44) are scheduled to play at Power Balance Pavilion next season, although the situation remains in flux with Anaheim's mayor once again expressing interest in the team.

The Kings have spent 27 seasons in Sacramento, and Bryant spoiled last season's finale in the Lakers' 116-108 overtime victory. He scored 36 points and sent the game into the extra period with a tying 3-pointer with 4.8 seconds to go.

Bryant has averaged 33.5 points to help the Lakers split two meetings with the Kings in 2011-12.

Sacramento has dropped 10 of 12. Top scorer Marcus Thornton has missed three straight games with a left quad contusion.

4/22/12 W LAL 114, OKC 106	4/20/12 L SAS 121, LAL 97	4/18/12 W LAL 99, GSW 87	4/17/12 L SAS 112, LAL 91	4/15/12 W LAL 112, DAL 108

SEASON & SERIES NOTES; CONNECTIONS
The Lakers and Kings are currently tied 1-1 in their season series, after the Lakers took last season’s series with Sacramento 3-1 and swept the 2009-10 season series 4-0. The two franchises have met 279 times overall and 115 times since the Kings moved to Sacramento. The Lakers lead the all-time series with the Kings 191-88 (83-32 vs. Sacramento). In their last 10 meetings, the Lakers are 8-2 against Sacramento. The Lakers are 17-8 all-time against the Kings at STAPLES Center and 8-2 in their last 10 home contests. On the road in the state capitol, the Lakers are 8-2 in their last 10 games at Power Balance Pavilion. Last season (12/3/10 at STAPLES Center), the Lakers defeated the Kings by 33 points, their largest victory over the Kings since a 33-point win 12/22/95. Also last season (11/3/10), Kobe Bryant recorded his 17th career triple-double while passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the franchise leader for career minutes in a 112-100 Lakers victory at Sacramento. Three seasons ago, on April 6, 2008, the Lakers defeated the Kings by 22 points, their largest victory in Sacramento since a 23-point win 3/23/89. In 2006-07, the Lakers were whistled for 42 personal fouls in their 132-128 overtime victory January 4, 2007 in Sacramento, establishing a new Los Angeles era franchise record. The Lakers last committed 42 personal fouls back on 2/17/57 versus St. Louis when the team was still in Minneapolis. Additionally, the Lakers and Kings combined for 80 personal fouls and 102 free throws on the night, which was, at the time, the most fouls committed by two teams in more than seven years. In 56 career games against the Kings including 48 starts, Kobe Bryant is averaging 26.9 points with a high game of 51 points 1/19/06 at Sacramento. Kings forward Tyler Honeycutt played collegiately at UCLA. The Lakers and Kings haven’t met in the postseason since the 2002 Western Conference Finals. While Kobe Bryant played in that series, no Kings remain on the current roster from that playoff series.

PLAYOFF PICTURE
With the Clippers loss in Atlanta on Tuesday, April 25th, the Lakers clinched their fifth straight Pacific Division title (23rd overall) as well as the #3 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers will face either the Denver Nuggets or Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the 2012 Playoffs (In the event of a three-way tie between Dallas, Denver and Utah, Dallas would win the tiebreaker (record in games among tied teams) and finish #6). Denver, with two games remaining 4/25 at Oklahoma City and 4/26 at Minnesota, currently leads Dallas by a game in the West. Dallas, however, has just one game remaining (4/26 at ATL) and owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Nuggets. Earlier this month, with a victory over Denver on April 13th, the Lakers clinched a playoff spot, becoming the 3rd team in the West to do so (OKC, SA). The playoff berth marks the Lakers 59th postseason appearance in 64 NBA seasons as well as their 31st playoff berth in 33 seasons since Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team prior to the 1979-80 season. Playoffs Note: Teams 1 to 4 in each conference are the three division winners and the team with the next best regular-season record, with the seeding of these four teams determined by regular-season record. The playoff-seedings of teams 5 to 8 are based upon regular-season record.

BRYANT TWO STEALS SHY OF MAGIC JOHNSON’S FRANCHISE RECORD
Entering Thursday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, Kobe Bryant (1,722) stands two steals shy of Magic Johnson’s franchise record 1,724 steals. Johnson, who twice led the league in steals (1980-81, 1981-82) and posted the third highest single-season steals per game average in NBA history during the 1980-81 season (3.43 spg), ranks 15th on the NBA’s career steals list. Isiah Thomas (14 th /1,861) and Derek Harper (13 th /1,957) are next on the all-time list.

FOURTH QUARTER COMEBACK
Trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Lakers came all the way back to force a pair of overtimes before ultimately defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 114-106 on Sunday, April 22 at STAPLES Center. The last time the Lakers overcame a deficit of 17 or more points in the fourth quarter to win came back on April 4, 2003 when they overcame a 23-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-101.

EXTRA TIME
The Lakers 114-106 double-overtime victory over Okalhoma City on April 22 was the team’s 6th overtime contest this season. The Lakers are now 5-1 in overtime games this year after going a perfect 4-0 in overtime games last season. Prior to their sole overtime loss of the season 3/6/12 at Detroit, the Lakers had won six straight overtime contests. During the 2009-10 season, the Lakers finished 4-1 in overtime games, after going 2-1 in three overtime games in the 2008-09 season and 4-0 in four overtime games during the 2007-08 campaign. In their last 24 overtime games, the Lakers are now 21-3 overall. The most overtime games the Lakers have played in a single season during the Los Angeles era is 10, established during the 2006-07 season. With the victory over Oklahoma City, the Lakers all-time overtime record in the Los Angeles era is now 140-91 (.606).

POOR SHOOTING IN THE FRONT COURT? NO PROBLEM…
Playing without Kobe Bryant for the fifth straight game, the Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks on April 15 in overtime despite subpar shooting performances from starting forwards Metta World Peace (7-for-20) and Pau Gasol (6-for-14) and starting center Andrew Bynum (9-for-24). While having all three members of the starting frontcourt struggle from the field would seem to amount to a guaranteed loss, the Lakers have actually won their last six games in which their starting forwards and center each take 12+ shots and miss more than half. The last Lakers’ loss in such a game occurred back on October 19, 1979 against the Portland Trail Blazers (82-99). The frontcourt trio in that game was Jamaal Wilkes, Spencer Haywood and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.*

ANDREW BYNUM EARNS THIRD CAREER WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR; SECOND THIS SEASON
On April 16, the NBA named Andrew Bynum WC Player of the Week for games played Monday, April 9 through Sunday, April 15; his THIRD career WC Player of the Week award and second this season. Bynum led the Lakers to a 4-0 week behind averages of 21.8 points, a league-best 16.3 rebounds and 1.50 blocks (three double-doubles). Only the 5th Laker in franchise history to grab 30 rebounds in a game (4/11 at San Antonio), Bynum followed up that effort with 30 points 4/13 vs. Denver, becoming the first player league-wide to follow a 30-rebound game with a 30-point game since Moses Malone in Feb. of 1982. Bynum’s first career WC Player of the Week award was earned back on January 26, 2009, when Bynum averaged 23.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.25 blocks in helping lead the Lakers to a 4-0 week from 1/19/09 to 1/25/09. Earlier this season, Bynum earned the honor after leading the Lakers to a 3-1 week from 3/12/12 to 3/18/12 while averaging 27.5 points (.665 FG%) and 14.8 rebounds.

LAKERS FORCE FRANCHISE-LOW THREE TURNOVERS
By forcing just three turnovers in a 125-105 loss at Phoenix on April 7, the Lakers saw the Suns set an opponent franchise record for fewest turnovers in a game. The previous franchise-low of four opponent turnovers was originally established in a 108-114 loss 12/21/01 at Memphis, but was matched three times this season, with the Lakers forcing four turnovers January 5 at Portland (96-107, loss), January 29 at Minnesota (106-101, win) and February 6 at Philadelphia (90-95, loss). Leaguwide, the last time a team committed 3 turnovers or less came on back on 4/3/10, when the Pistons committed three turnovers at Atlanta.

DYNAMIC DUO
In the Lakers 113-108 victory over the Clippers on April 4, Andrew Bynum scored 36 points on 13-of-20 shooting (.650) and Kobe Bryant scored 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting (.684). Since 1990, the only other pair of Lakers teammates to each score 30-plus points while shooting at least 65% from the field were Bryant (35 points on 11- of-16 shooting ((.688)) and Shaquille O’Neal (31 points on 15-of-23 shooting (.652)) back on February 18, 2004 in a 100-99 Lakers victory at Golden State. *

40-POINT GAMES
With 40 points April 1 vs. Golden State, Kobe Bryant scored 40+ points for the fifth time this season and 112th time (regular season) in his NBA career. With 42 points January 14 in an away game against the Clippers, Kobe Bryant scored 40+ points for the fourth consecutive game. Bryant’s 40+ point games this season came 1/10 vs. Phoenix (48),1/11 at Utah (40), 1/13 vs. Cleveland (42), 1/14 @ LA Clippers (42) and 4/1 vs. Golden State (40). In the history of the NBA, only two players have more career 40-point games: Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173). The Lakers are now 77-35 all-time in games that Bryant scores 40+ points. Bryant holds the Lakers franchise record for 40-point games in a season, recording 27 during the 2005-06 campaign. Bryant also holds the franchise record for most consecutive 40-point games (9), established during the 2002-03 season. Only Wilt Chamberlain (14 twice, 10 once) has had longer consecutive 40-point game streaks in NBA history than Bryant.