Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Pau Gasol scored 22 points to lead the Lakers in a 124-101 drubbing of the
Sacramento Kings. With the victory, Los Angeles secured the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Kobe Bryant poured in 20 points for the Lakers, who finished their season with four straight wins and will face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Lamar Odom gave 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Vladimir Radmanovic ended with 14 points. Jordan Farmar dropped in 13 points off the bench and Ronny Turiaf ended with 10 in the victory.
Quincy Douby netted 32 points off the bench for the Kings, who ended their season with consecutive losses. Beno Udrih ended with 22 points and Francisco Garcia had 15. Shelden Williams tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds, while John Salmons chipped in 11 points.
Sacramento's Kevin Martin missed his second straight game with a strained right knee, while forward Ron Artest (thumb) also sat out Tuesday's matchup.
The Lakers were on top 34-27 after 12 minutes of play.
A Farmar three-pointer as time expired put the Lakers up 62-48 heading into the intermission.
Two free throws from Bryant and a pair from Odom put Los Angeles on top 76-57 with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter.
After the Lakers increased their cushion to 20 points, the club went on a 12-3 run to close out the third. Odom's layup started the surge and Radmonovic's steal and slam closed it out and sent the Lakers into the final 12 minutes up 101-72.
The Lakers outscored the Kings 39-24 in the third frame and cruised from that point on.
A Sasha Vujacic jumper and a Chris Mihm dunk opened a 30-point, 116-86, Lakers advantage with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Game Notes
The Lakers have won six in a row at the Staples Center, and are 30-11 as the host this season...Sacramento is 12-29 away from ARCO Arena this season...Los Angeles finished 3-1 against the Kings this season, and has won five of six in the series...Sacramento had won two of its last three as the visitor against the Lakers before Tuesday.
