Lakers rout Kings to snap four-game losing skid

December 04, 2010 | 18:00

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Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and Spaniard Pau Gasol shrugged off a left hamstring strain to add 16 as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak Friday by routing Sacramento 113-80.

The two-time defending NBA champions also had 16 points and seven rebounds from Lamar Odom in ripping the Kings to halt their longest losing streak since the end of the 2006-2007 regular season, before Gasol joined the club.

"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."

The Lakers, who have won eight consecutive games over Sacramento, seized an 18-point lead in the first half and pulled the margin to 32 before Bryant and Gasol went to the bench for good late in the third quarter.

Bryant shot 9-of 18 from the field while Gasol was 6-of-8 despite an injury that comes as his minutes have increased with injuries to fellow big men Andrew Bynum and Theo Ratliff. Gasol played a season-low 27 minutes against the Kings.

Jason Thompson scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Kings, who lost their sixth game in a row and 12th in their past 13 starts. Tyreke Evans added 15 points and Pooh Jeter had 12 for Sacramento.

Every Laker in the lineup scored, with Shannon Brown coming off the bench for 11 points and Steve Blake adding 11.

AFP

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