LOS ANGELES, 26 March 2004 — Kobe Bryant turned his long day into an even longer night for bitter rivals Sacramento Kings.
Bryant scored 20 of his 36 points in the decisive first half, and the Los Angeles Lakers embarrassed the visiting Kings, 115-91 on Wednesday night for their sixth straight victory.
“We’re seeing a steady improvement,” Bryant said. “Tonight, we put on a good show. It was a great display, especially on the defensive end.”
After appearing in an Eagle, Colorado courtroom for a pre-trial hearing on his sexual assault charge, the weary Bryant jetted back to Los Angeles about 30 minutes before tip-off.
“You just put your faith in God,” Bryant explained. “There are moments when you feel tired, you feel weak, you feel like you can’t go on, but you have faith He’ll carry you through.”
Instead of being drained, Bryant showed energy on both ends of the court. The All-Star guard sparked the Lakers on a game-breaking 25-1 run that opened a commanding 33-14 cushion after one. The lead swelled to 69-47 at halftime, and they coasted home in the second half.
Gary Payton scored 20 points and reserve Slava Medvedenko added 15 points and eight rebounds in the Lakers’ first win over the Kings in three meetings this season.
Peja Stojakovic netted 20 points and Chris Webber added 18 points for slumping Sacramento (51-21).
The Kings suffered their fifth loss in the last eight games, including its most lopsided loss of the season. The slump cut their lead atop the Pacific Division to 2 games over the charging Lakers.
Rockets 90 Raptors 89 (OT): China’s Yao Ming had 27 points and 17 rebounds, and the Rockets escaped with the home-court victory, when Donyell Marshall missed a driving layup at the buzzer.
Vince Carter led Toronto with 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Grizzlies 111 Knicks 97: Pau Gasol scored 23 points as the visiting Grizzlies mauled the Knicks for their third straight victory. Stephon Marbury had 23 points and 10 assists for New York, which played without injured Allan Houston and Tim Thomas.
Heat 105 Magic 90: Eddie Jones scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, while Lamar Odom had 20 points and 14 rebounds, leading the visiting Heat to its season-high sixth straight victory.
76ers 99 Suns 94: Samuel Dalembert had 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Eric Snow had 19 points, including three free throws with 20.6 seconds remaining in the Sixers’ win. Joe Johnson led Phoenix with 27 points.
Pacers 103 Mavericks 99: Ron Artest had 20 points, eight steals and eight rebounds, helping the Pacers improve to 3-0 this season without its best player. All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal missed the game with a bruised left knee. But Jeff Foster filled in with 12 points and 12 rebounds as Indiana ran its league-best mark to 52-19.
Nuggets 101 Timberwolves 92: Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and reserve Earl Boykins added 21, lifting the Nuggets past Utah for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
SuperSonics 84 Jazz 77: Ray Allen scored 18 of his 26 points in the third quarter, leading the host Sonics to their season-high six straight win. Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points for Utah, which had its three game winning streak halted.
Trail Blazers 91 L.A. Clippers 85: Damon Stoudamire scored 32 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 25.3 seconds left, and the host Trail Blazers bounced the Clippers for the 10th straight time at home.
Warriors 98 Bucks 89: Erick Dampier had 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Cliff Robinson added 18 points and equaled a career-best with nine assists, in the Warriors’ fifth straight victory.
