Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - December 17

(Basketball News) - The Los Angeles Lakers begin a season-high six-game homestand tonight against the Washington Wizards at the Staples Center. LA will also host the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets.

On Thursday, Kobe Bryant tallied 31 points, 12 assists and six rebounds to lead the Lakers to a 115-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena. Lamar Odom added 22 points for the Lakers, who have won three of their last four. Brian Cook contributed 12 points and seven boards in the victory.

Lakers center Vlade Divac, in his second tour of duty with Los Angeles, played against his former team at ARCO for the first time since re-joining the Lakers in the offseason. Divac spent six seasons with the Kings and played just three scoreless minutes in the victory.

Bryant is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists in his last 10 games.

The Lakers, who have won three of their last four at home, are 8-3 as the host this season.

Last season, the Lakers swept their two contests with the Wizards. Overall, the Lakers have won three straight and seven of the last eight meetings in this series.