Lakers surge past Kings

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

Kobe Bryant posted 19 points and 13 assists for Los Angeles, which halted a two-game losing streak. Luke Walton netted 18 points, Andrew Bynum 14, and Smush Parker added 13 points and eight assists, as the Lakers won for the sixth time in eight games.

"We had good energy off the bench tonight," LA coach Phil Jackson said. "This is the first time we’ve had a breakout game in over a month."

Ron Artest scored 26 points for the Kings, who are 5 1/2 games behind the Clippers for the final playoff spot in the West. Kevin Martin scored 23 points, John Salmons 16, and Brad Miller added 12 points and seven boards.

The Kings opened an early lead by going on an 8-1 spurt, sparked by an Artest layup with 8:40 left in the first for a 15-7 lead. The Lakers responded with seven straight and the score was tied, 27-27, heading into the second.

The Lakers started pulling away on a 14-4 run, capped by a Walton layup with 4:01 remaining for a 49-42 lead, and led 59-54 heading into the locker room.

LA added to its lead on a 15-0 burst, book-ended by Parker three-pointers, but Sacramento kept it close by scoring 11 straight down the stretch. The Lakers held just an 87-81 advantage heading into the fourth.

The Lakers put the game away on a 15-2 run, capped by a pair of Jordan Farmar layups that put them ahead 112-90 with 4:10 to go, as they cruised to the easy win.

"It was important for us to have a lot of energy and we did that tonight," Evans said. "I was fortunate to make two easy baskets early and that got me going."

Game Notes

The Lakers outrebounded Sacramento, 41-34...This was 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 split their last six at the Lakers...Sacramento will host the Lakers on April 18.