Kings crown Lakers at Staples Center

Peja Stojakovic netted a game-high 37 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Kings, who have won four in a row. Doug Christie was the only other scorer in double figures with 13 points as Sacramento improved to 2-0 versus the Lakers this season.

"Right now we’re going to savor this win, go home and rest," Bibby said. "It was a big win," Bibby added. "They’re (Lakers) right behind us in the division."

Kobe Bryant missed a desperation three-pointer at the end of the game and scored 35 points for Los Angeles. Bryant also had 11 rebounds and six assists but the Lakers had their five-game win streak halted.

Shaquille O’Neal chipped in 24 points and 10 rebounds in a losing cause.

Sacramento grabbed a 90-85 lead about four minutes into the fourth quarter on a Stojakovic three and an Anthony Peeler basket in succession. With about 6 1/2 minutes remaining, the Kings took a 92-86 edge on a Stojakovic layup.

O’Neal later buried 1-of-2 foul shots with 4:45 left and the Lakers were within two at 94-92. Los Angeles then evened the score when O’Neal threw down a one-handed jam in the face of Vlade Divac.

Bryant’s driving layup off a nice look from Gary Payton put the Lakers back in front, 96-94 with less than three minutes to go. Peeler, though, converted a three-point play and the Kings took a one-point lead with 2:04 remaining.

With 1:38 on the clock, Bryant was sent to the line and drained both shots to give LA a 98-97 lead. Bibby, however, answered with consecutive three-pointers and the Kings led 103-98 with 45.2 seconds left.

"He was the man," Stojakovic said of his teammate Bibby.

Bryant wasn’t phased and knocked down a three-pointer of his own, making it 103-101. He then had a chance to give Los Angeles the win, but his three in the waning seconds caromed off the front of the rim.

"It looked like it was going to go in," Bibby said of Bryant’s last-second shot.

After the Kings grabbed an 8-7 lead on a Stojakovic three-pointer, Los Angeles scored eight in a row for a 15-8 lead. Devean George capped the run with a jumper midway through the quarter. The rest of the stanza was tightly contested with the Lakers ahead, 29-28, after 12 minutes of play.

The Kings took back the lead early in the second quarter, but LA eventually claimed a 41-35 advantage thanks to a pair of free throws by Stanislav Medvedenko. The Lakers remained in control after the first half, leading by a 57-49 score.

Bibby led all scorers with 19 points at halftime, while Bryant paced the Lakers with 18.

Stojakovic lit up the scoreboard in the third quarter, burying a three-pointer to pull Sacramento within 69-62. He then sank two from the charity stripe and the Kings were down, 75-70, with about four minutes left. Stojakovic finished with 18 points in the quarter, but LA led by an 81-80 score after three.