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Bryant, Lakers look to bounce back vs. Kings

Apr 1, 2007 - 4:08 PM Sacramento (30-41) at LA Lakers (38-34) 9:30 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant would like to stop the Los Angeles Lakers' current slide dead in its tracks.

Bryant and the Lakers aim to end their two-game losing streak when they host the Sacramento Kings in a Pacific Division matchup on Sunday.

On Friday, Bryant poured in 53 points to record his fifth 50-point game this season. But it was not enough, as the Lakers fell, 107-104, in overtime to the Houston Rockets.

A nine-time All-Star, Bryant became the first player since Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain to average at least 40 points for an entire month. The 6-6 superstar averaged 40.4 points in March.

Since returning from a torn labrum in his left shoulder, Lakers forward Lamar Odom has registered a double-double over last five games.

With 10 games remaining, Los Angeles has a 2 1/2-game cushion over the Clippers (36-37) and Denver (35-36) for sixth place in the Western Conference standings.

Ron Artest had 29 points and seven rebounds and Kevin Martin scored 23 for the Kings in Friday's 105-101 setback to the Clippers.