Lakers vs. Kings, 115-118: Lakers Turn Blowout Into Thriller

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers fell to the Sacramento Kings in his last game in the nation’s capital

After showing promise in their last three games prior to the loss Tuesday night, the Lakers were back to their old habits to start against the Sacramento Kings. Coming out lazy on both ends of the floor, the young Lakers showed absolutely no desire to even compete until the fourth quarter.

As expected, though he was probable to play against the Kings, Kobe Bryant suited up to give fans one last show at Sleep Train Arena. With his team struggling early, per usual Kobe tried to put the team on his back leading the team with 18 points in the first half alone, putting him at 33,000 points even for his career.

The Kings started hot, capitalizing on the Lakers early turnovers, jumping out to a 20 point lead within the first six minutes of the game. As predicted, DeMarcus Cousins dominated the Lakers inside and out, grabbing boards with ease, hitting threes, even looking like a point-center leading breaks, surpassing Kobe’s first half total with 22 points on 6-of-9 shooting, 2-of-3 from downtown.

One positive result from the slow start was that D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle checked in early for a change. Even Anthony Brown saw some first quarter action. Further, the lineup of Russell, Clarkson, Brown, Randle and Brandon Bass was one step closer to a the Lakers line up of the future (substitute Larry Nance Jr. for Bass) which is encouraging.

That said, although Russell played amazing, Randle was awful from the get go, often looking disinterested. Reading into his recent back and forth with Byron Scott, it seems that his relationship with Scott is beginning to take a toll on his performance.

The Lakers stormed back in the fourth quarter behind the aforementioned lineup taking the lead with four minutes left in the game. While the offensive spark provided by D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson must be mentioned, the Lakers defense held the Kings to just six points in the first eight minutes of the fourth quarter.

Sadly, the Lakers couldn’t close and fell to the Kings 115-118 in a game that came down to the final shots.

Three Stars

In his last game in Sacramento, Kobe brought his A-game scoring 18 points in the first half and 28 overall despite playing sparingly in the fourth quarter.

D’Angelo Russell had arguably the best game of his young career and continues to show signs of growth, unlike Randle who has seemingly hit a wall. Spraining his ankle late in the fourth quarter Russell finished with 27 on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting.

DeMarcus Cousins is already a star but when paired against Roy Hibbert he looked even more impressive. Finishing with 29 in 32 minutes of play, as expected, Cousins lit the Lakers up for most of the game.

Highlights

Odds

The Kings were 8.5 point favorites and failed to cover, but the teams surpassed the O/U line of 212.5

Next: Lakers Retain Tarik Black Among Other Veteran Lakers

Next Game

The Lakers will be back home to play the Oklahoma City Thunder the following night, a team who they have already lost to twice by 20 plus points.

The Kings will play their crosstown rival in the Golden State Warriors, a team they normally play surprisingly well against.