KINGS 113, LAKERS 96: DeMarcus Cousins had 23 points and 19 rebounds and Tyreke Evans scored 21 to lead the Kings past shorthanded Los Angeles in perhaps their last game in Sacramento.
Kobe Bryant sat out the game, assuring Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant would win his third consecutive scoring title (28.03 points). Bryant finished with a 27.86 average.
Los Angeles (41-25), which also rested Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, already had wrapped up the No. 3 seed. The Lakers will open the playoffs with the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on Sunday.
Josh McRoberts had 16 points and nine rebounds and Devin Ebanks and Ramon Sessions each scored 14 for Los Angeles, which had won 10 of the last 12 against the Kings.
Sacramento (22-44) goes into another offseason wondering if it will ever get an arena plan finalized. A deal in February fell apart and the future home of the franchise is in doubt.
Jason Thompson had 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings, who outscored the Lakers 66-40 in points in the paint.
The Kings shot 48 percent to the Lakers’ 38.8 and took a 56-43 lead into halftime.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Metta World Peace served the first contest of his seven-game suspension for his vicious elbow to Oklahoma City’s James Harden. … Lakers coach Mike Brown said he did not know if Matt Barnes (sprained right ankle) would be available for the playoff opener.
L.A. Lakers | Sacramento | |
Josh McRoberts 16 | Scoring | DeMarcus Cousins 23 |
Steve Blake 6 | Assists | Isaiah Thomas 7 |
Josh McRoberts 9 | Rebounds | DeMarcus Cousins 19 |
Christian Eyenga 2 | Free Throws Made | DeMarcus Cousins 5 |
Jordan Hill 3 | Steals | Jason Thompson 2 |
Devin Ebanks 1 | Blocks | Travis Outlaw 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
L.A. Lakers | 96 | 45.1 | 7-15 | 7-9 | 27 | 41 | 3 | 4 | 15 |
Sacramento | 113 | 51.1 | 6-15 | 13-18 | 21 | 48 | 7 | 6 | 8 |