Lakers in top form in Sacramento

Saturday February 01, 2003

Back at the arena where they ended Sacramento's title dreams last spring, the Los Angeles Lakers served notice that they're capable of playing at the level they usually save for the playoffs.

Kobe Bryant had 38 points, five rebounds and five assists and Shaquille O'Neal added 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Lakers beat the Kings 124-113 on Friday night.

Two straight road victories aren't enough for the Lakers to believe they've truly achieved consistency. But it's a start.

``That's a lift,'' O'Neal said of winning in Sacramento two days after a victory in Phoenix. ``My guys are playing well. We've got to keep that swagger, keep that intensity, that enthusiasm.''

Peja Stojakovic scored 36 points before fouling out with 1:31 left as the Kings lost at home for the second straight game and just the fourth time all season. They hadn't lost consecutive home games since back-to-back losses to Dallas and Milwaukee in April 2001.

``Their two stars we couldn't handle tonight,'' Kings coach Rick Adelman said. ``Inside and outside, they were terrific. We just didn't have enough answers.''

Elsewhere, Toronto defeated Indiana 102-90, New Jersey topped New Orleans 89-72, Detroit crushed Boston 118-66, San Antonio nipped Orlando 109-108, Philadelphia downed Miami 104-99, Houston beat Minnesota 121-101, Portland topped Chicago 107-94, Utah defeated Golden State 102-94, New York beat Memphis 108-102, Phoenix downed the Los Angeles Clippers 98-92, and Atlanta defeated Cleveland 96-91.

Sacramento tied it twice in the third quarter and made its runs in the final period, but couldn't get defensive stops when needed.

Jim Jackson scored with 3:22 remaining to get the Kings within 112-107, but Rick Fox answered with his second straight 3. After a 3 by Stojakovic, Fisher made a baseline 3.< ^Raptors 102, Pacers 90=

At Toronto, the Raptors' Morris Peterson, Indiana's Al Harrington and Pacers coach Isiah Thomas were ejected after a fight with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter.

Harrington approached Peterson in an aggressive manner after Peterson tripped up Harrington while running downcourt on a fast break. Peterson appeared to throw a punch and a shoving match ensued. Thomas ran onto the court and tried to get at Peterson, but Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens held Thomas back.

Antonio Davis had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Jerome Williams had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Vince Carter added 16.< ^Nets 89, Hornets 72=

At East Rutherford, N.J., Kenyon Martin had 23 points and 13 rebounds for New Jersey, and Brian Scalabrine and Anthony Johnson made up for the absence of Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.

Johnson scored 10 points, and Scalabrine had five points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks as the Nets limited the Hornets to a season-low point total.< ^Pistons 118, Celtics 66=

At Boston, the Celtics were dealt the worst loss in their history, falling behind Detroit by as many as 60 before scoring the final eight points of the game.

Richard Hamilton scored 29 points for the Pistons, who led 71-51 with 4:05 left in the third quarter before going on a 35-2 run that gave them twice as many points as Boston 106-53 midway through the fourth quarter.< ^Spurs 109, Magic 108=

At Orlando, Fla., Tim Duncan had 23 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists, and his putback off his own miss with 4 seconds to go gave the Spurs the victory.

The Magic had a chance to win, but Tracy McGrady's 17-footer fell short at the buzzer. McGrady had 35 points.< ^76ers 104, Heat 99=

At Philadelphia, Keith Van Horn scored a season-high 33 points and Eric Snow added a season-high 21 for Philadelphia.

Allen Iverson scored 25 points to help the Sixers snap a four-game home losing streak.< ^Rockets 121, Timberwolves 101=

At Houston, Steve Francis scored 27 points, Yao Ming added 24 points and 13 rebounds for his 14th double-double, and the Rockets shot a season-high 58.1 percent.< ^Trail Blazers 107, Bulls 94=

At Portland, Ore., Rasheed Wallace had 28 points and seven rebounds in his return from a seven-game suspension. Dale Davis had 17 points and 13 rebounds for Portland, which has won six of seven.< ^Jazz 102, Warriors 94=

At Salt Lake City, Karl Malone had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Matt Harpring and Calbert Cheaney each scored 16, and Andrei Kirilenko added 14 points as Utah improved to 2-0 since coach Jerry Sloan was suspended seven games for shoving a referee.< ^Knicks 108, Grizzlies 102=

At Memphis, Tenn., Howard Eisley scored a career-high 30 points, shot 12-of-15 and scored New York's final seven points.< ^Suns 98, Clippers 92=

At Los Angeles, Stephon Marbury had 19 points and 15 assists and Phoenix reserve guard Casey Jacobsen scored eight of his 17 points in the final 6:22.< ^Hawks 96, Cavaliers 91=

At Atlanta, Glenn Robinson scored 20 points as the Hawks won for the fourth time in five games.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)