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Gameday: Lakers 97, Kings 113

GAMEDAY LINKS:TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Box ScoreLos Angeles Lakers2120282897
Play by PlaySacramento Kings15273140113

LAKERS-KINGS PREVIEW

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO

Posted Nov 21 2012 3:12AM

Coach Mike D'Antoni may be somewhat wobbly on his surgically replaced knee, but the Los Angeles Lakers seem to be finding their stride.

Another meeting with the Sacramento Kings may keep their run going.

Coming off D'Antoni's winning debut on the bench, the Lakers look to continue their surge Wednesday night when they try to send the Kings to a sixth consecutive defeat.

Los Angeles (6-5) named D'Antoni coach on Nov. 12 after firing Mike Brown following a 1-4 start. D'Antoni's debut, though, had been delayed due to recovery from knee replacement surgery, but he was finally on the sideline for Tuesday's 95-90 win over Brooklyn.

"With this team, there's no reason not to win every game," D'Antoni said. "That's our goal. It's not, 'Let's get two out of three.' We can win every game we play. ... I feel like we're the best team in the league. We've got the most talent, so they can do what they want. We've just got to keep perfecting things."

While D'Antoni was not actively roaming the sidelines much in Tuesday's win, the Lakers have won five of six games since the coaching change, including a season-high three in a row.

"We're definitely playing with better flow," said forward Pau Gasol, who has 17 points in each of the last two games. "We're playing with more confidence, looser out there. We're playing together and moving the ball, just playing basketball and not really worrying about actions; just playing the game."

Production from Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard is also helping.

Bryant leads the NBA with 26.3 points per game, and Howard is among the leaders with 20.3 points and 11.7 rebounds. Both came up big in D'Antoni's debut, as Bryant scored 25 points - six coming in the final two minutes - while Howard contributed 23 with 15 boards.

The All-Star center is pulling down an average of 14.6 rebounds over the past five games, including 18 with 23 points in a 103-90 victory over Sacramento (2-8) on Nov. 11.

Bryant was held to 20 points in that meeting, but he's averaged 33.3 points in his last 13 games at Sleep Train Arena.

The Lakers, though, have lost the last two visits, including last season's finale on April 26 when Bryant was rested ahead of the playoffs.

The Kings are averaging 89.6 points during a five-game slide that continued with Sunday's 99-90 loss to the Nets. Coach Keith Smart tried to stop the skid by starting Aaron Brooks at the point and John Salmons at forward, but they combined for six points and seven rebounds.

"Overall, when you make some changes like we have it's hard, but they were smiling for the most part," Smart said. "This is an adjustment period. That's something we have to go through to get out team turned around."

DeMarcus Cousins is trying to do his part, leading Sacramento with 17.8 points per game and 10.3 boards. The center scored 23 of his season-high 29 points in the second half Sunday, bouncing back from a nine-point effort on 4 of 15 shooting in a loss to Atlanta on Thursday in his return from a two-game suspension.

The team-imposed ban forced him to miss the Nov. 11 loss to Los Angeles.

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.

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 #15 World PeaceSF#5 Salmons 
 #16 GasolPF#34 Thompson 
 #12 HowardC#15 Cousins 
 #24 BryantSG#13 Evans 
 #1 MorrisPG#3 Brooks 

Steve Blake(abdominal strain) is day-to-day.
Kobe Bryant(strained & bruised right foot) is probable.
Jordan Hill(herniated disc/sprained right wrist) is probable.
Steve Nash(non-displaced fracture, left leg) is out.

11/11 -SAC @ LAL -W 103-90
11/21 - LAL @ SAC
03/17 -SAC @ LAL
03/30 - LAL @ SAC

GAME NOTES

SEASON & SERIES NOTES; CONNECTIONS
The Lakers lead the season series with the Kings 1-0 after dropping last season’s series 1-2
for their first series loss to Sacramento since 2004-05 (1-3). The two franchises have met
281 times overall and 117 times since the Kings moved to Sacramento. The Lakers lead the
all-time series with the Kings 192-89 (84-33 vs. Sacramento). In their last 10 meetings, the
Lakers are 7-3 against Sacramento. The Lakers are 18-8 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 7-3 in their last 10 games at Sleep Train Arena. In recent series history, in 2010-
11 (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 in 2010-11 (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. 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. Metta World Peace was acquired by Sacramento 1/25/06 from
Indiana in exchange for Peja Stojakovic and played with the Kings through 2007-08. 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.

LAST REGULAR SEASON MEETING
In their second game under interim head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, the Lakers used an 11-0 run to take a 15-point lead in the third quarter, led by as many as 23 points in
the fourth quarter and defeated the Sacramento Kings 103-90 at STAPLES Center. Dwight Howard posted game-highs with 23 points (8-14 FG), 18 rebounds, three blocks
and two steals and Kobe Bryant finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace rounded out the Lakers players in double-figures
with 18 points apiece. Playing without DeMarcus Cousins due to an NBA Suspension, the Kings were outrebounded 50-39 and were outscored 20-14 in second-chance
points. Jimmer Fredette led Sacramento with 18 points, Jason Thompson posted 15 points and 10 rebounds, Isaiah Thomas scored 13 points and Travis Outlaw rounded
out the Kigns players in double-figures with 11 points in the loss.

*Statistical research assistance provided by the Elias Sports Bureau

View the Full Game Notes Here

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