Lakers continue homestand versus Kings

This is the third of four meetings between the division rivals. The teams split the first two contests, as both clubs picked up a victory on the road.

The Kings have won three of five and five of their last nine contests at the Lakers.

Sacramento will host the Lakers on April 18th at ARCO Arena.

The Lakers are the sixth seed in the Western Conference, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Clippers and Nuggets.

Los Angeles tries to halt a two-game losing streak. On Friday, Kobe Bryant poured in 53 points, almost single-handedly erasing a 12-point fourth quarter deficit, but made two crucial mistakes in the last minute of overtime as the Houston Rockets held on for a 107-104 win over the Lakers at the Staples Center.

Lamar Odom had 16 points and 17 boards in the loss for the Lakers, who have lost two straight after a five-game winning streak. Kwame Brown scored 15 points for LA, which is No. 6 in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Lakers are 23-13 as the host this season. They will face Allen Iverson and the Nuggets on Tuesday in the finale of the current homestand.

Sacramento attempts to get back on the winning track this evening. Cuttino Mobley scored 26 points as the Clippers downed the Kings, 105-101, on Friday at ARCO Arena.

Ron Artest scored 29 points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Kings, who are five games behind the Clippers and Nuggets for the final playoff spot in the West. Kevin Martin added 23 points and seven boards, while Mike Bibby had 16 points but was a miserable 5-of-19 from the floor.

The Kings are 11-25 on the road this season. They return home to host the NBA- best Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at ARCO Arena.