{{pageModel.leagueAbbr}} {{pageModel.subtitle}} | Las Vegas Review-Journal
National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
L.A. Lakers 115, Sacramento 107
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, March 2, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #75 Eric Dalen, #72 J.T. Orr, #49 Tom Washington
Attendance: 18997

LAKERS 115, KINGS 107: Still sporting a plastic mask to protect his broken nose, Kobe Bryant scored 38 points and Los Angeles continued its dominance of visiting Sacramento.

In scoring a season high, the Lakers handed the Kings their 10th loss in the last 12 games in the series.

Andrew Bynum had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who are 15-1 at home since losing their opener. Pau Gasol pitched in 15 points and seven rebounds and Metta World Peace also scored 15.

Francisco Garcia led seven Kings in double figures with 18 points. Marcus Thornton had 15 and Isaiah Thomas and Tyreke Evans 14 apiece. Reserves John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette each scored 12, and DeMarcus Cousins added 13 rebounds and 10 points.

Bryant, who also had eight rebounds, scored 20 in the first half as the Lakers took a 65-58 lead.

The Lakers went on a 10-1 run early in the third and closed it with a 9-2 run for a 92-74 cushion, and Bynum made it 94-74 as the fourth quarter started.

But the Kings were far from finished, going on an 11-0 run, which became a 21-8 stretch over the first seven minutes to pull to 100-95. Salmons scored eight in the run and Fredette had seven.

That was as close as the Kings got as World Peace made a 3-pointer and layup and Bryant scored his first points of the quarter on a 3-pointer and added a pull-up jumper for a 110-97 advantage.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Bryant missed Friday morning’s shootaround to visit neurologist Vern Williams. Bryant did not see Williams about his concussion or broken nose, but to get advice on his sore neck. Bryant said he felt constant pain at the base of his head after Wednesday’s game against Minnesota. … The Lakers will host NBA-leading Miami on Sunday. The Heat saw their nine-game winning streak end, 99-98, at Utah. … Sacramento was 45 of 103 from the field and 9 of 25 on 3-pointers.
Top Game Performances
 
Sacramento   L.A. Lakers
Francisco Garcia 18 Scoring Kobe Bryant 38
Isaiah Thomas 6 Assists Derek Fisher 7
DeMarcus Cousins 13 Rebounds Andrew Bynum 15
Marcus Thornton 3 Free Throws Made Kobe Bryant 11
Francisco Garcia 3 Steals Kobe Bryant 1
DeMarcus Cousins 1 Blocks Andrew Bynum 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Sacramento 107 43.7 9-25 8-9 23 40 4 11 5
L.A. Lakers 115 53.7 6-17 21-26 25 48 7 2 13
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Lakers will play their next game at home against Miami. The Lakers have a W/L % of .571 after a win and .667 after a loss.
  • Sacramento will play their next game on the road against Phoenix. The Kings have a W/L % of .385 after a win and .304 after a loss.