Lakers blow out Kings, easily snap 4-game skid

[December 04, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant scored 22 points, Pau Gasol added 16 despite a strained left hamstring, and the Los Angeles Lakers easily snapped a four-game losing streak with a 113-80 victory over the struggling Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Lamar Odom had 16 points and seven rebounds as the two-time defending champions capitalized on nearly optimal conditions for ending their longest skid since April 2007.

"We came out focused and we played aggressive from the first minute," Gasol said. "We kept our energy throughout the game, even in the fourth quarter."

Los Angeles jumped to an 18-point lead on lowly Sacramento in the first half and stretched it to 32 before Bryant and Gasol wrapped up their evenings late in the third quarter.

Jason Thompson scored 19 for the Kings, who have lost six straight and 12 of 13. Tyreke Evans added 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting, and Pooh Jeter scored 11 in 12 minutes of garbage time for Sacramento, which has lost eight straight to Los Angeles.

The Lakers reeked of veteran calm while dealing with their longest losing stretch since Gasol joined the team nearly three years ago -- although a loss to lowly Sacramento would have been a valid reason to freak out.

The Lakers weren't blown out in any game during their skid after a 13-2 start, losing in the final minutes to Utah, Indiana, Memphis and Houston since Thanksgiving. While their fans grumbled a bit, Bryant claimed the only thing Los Angeles lacked was defense -- something it hardly needed against Sacramento.

Gasol arrived at Staples Center about an hour before tip-off after getting treatment throughout the afternoon for his strained hamstring, which could be a product of his heavy workload last month in the absence of injured Lakers big men Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratliff. Gasol led the Lakers with 748 minutes played through Wednesday -- 112 more than Bryant.

Gasol played a season-low 27 minutes against the Kings, and Bryant logged just 26. The Lakers also have the next three days off before Washington visits next week.

Every player scored for Los Angeles -- even Ron Artest, who had just two points in 28 minutes. Steve Blake hit three 3-pointers while scoring 11 points, Shannon Brown had 12, and rookies Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks each hit their modest career highs.

Just how bad was Sacramento's defense? Midway through the third quarter, the Lakers had outscored the Kings 50-10 in the paint, meaning 25 of the Lakers' 30 field goals came from right next to the hoop.

Bryant and Gasol checked out for good with 2:55 left in the third quarter, and the Lakers' reserves kept outplaying Sacramento in the final minutes. Brown had a two-handed slam and a double-clutch layup on consecutive possessions, getting the crowd -- including Bryant -- out of the seats.

NOTES: Lakers F Luke Walton picked up three fouls in 2 minutes in the first half. ... Kings C Samuel Dalembert played despite tendinitis in his right knee. ... Evans left the court for several minutes in the first quarter, but returned to the game. ... Fans near courtside included "Mike & Molly" stars Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy, radio host Eddie "Piolin" Sotelo and Andy Garcia.

[Associated Press; By GREG BEACHAM]

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