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Lakers need OT to get by Kings, clinch No. 2 seed

Apr 14, 2011 - 6:45 AM Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant hit a game-tying three in the closing seconds of regulation, and the Lakers overpowered the Kings in overtime to earn a 116-108 victory and secure the Western Conference's No. 2 seed.

Los Angeles (57-25) needed only to win to clinch the seed and was in good position heading into the fourth quarter, up by 18 points. A massive comeback put the Kings in front late in regulation before Bryant saved the day.

Bryant finished with 36 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Lakers, who will face the New Orleans Hornets in the first round of the playoffs. The series starts Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (et) in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the Kings (24-58) got 33 points from Marcus Thornton in what was likely their last game in Sacramento.

Located in California's capital since 1985-86, the club is headed toward relocation again. Anaheim's City Council has already issued the bonds needed to bring the franchise to Southern California and trademark rights have already been requested.

Sacramento's owners, the Maloof brothers, have until next Monday to officially file for permission to relocate.

A big comeback almost sent the Kings out winners. They faced an 88-70 deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and a 91-71 hole after Lamar Odom sank a hook shot a little more than two minutes into the fourth.

But Tyreke Evans scored four consecutive points to key a 10-0 burst that got Sacramento back in the game.

The Kings were still down by 10 with a little over five minutes to play, but used another surge to move in front. Thornton scored six points during a 12-0 run that Jason Thompson closed with a dunk, giving the Kings a 97-95 edge with 1:22 to play.

Bryant followed with a technical free throw, but the Lakers came up empty on their next two possessions, forcing them to foul Beno Udrih with 9.6 seconds left.

Udrih hit both attempts to make it a 99-96 game, and all Sacramento had to do to win was keep the Lakers from hitting a three. Unfortunately for the Kings, Bryant came up with the clutch shot, rolling off a screen to sink a long- distance attempt from the right side of the arc.

Bryant then had a hand in stuffing Thornton's awkward shot in the lane in the closing seconds.

The Lakers trailed by one shortly into overtime, but rattled off 11 consecutive points to take control. Odom scored five of them, and Shannon Brown ended the rally with a layup, giving LA a 113-103 lead with 35.2 seconds left, and essentially securing the second seed.

Game Notes

Los Angeles shot 51 percent in the first half on the way to a 56-48 lead...The Lakers shot 14-of-20 from the field in the third quarter...Odom ended with 22 points, eight boards and seven assists for LA. Pau Gasol added 18 points and 13 rebounds...Samuel Dalembert finished with 16 points and 18 rebounds for the Kings, while Evans had 19 points, seven assists and six boards...DeMarcus Cousins had six rebounds, and set a Sacramento-era rookie record for rebounds in a single season (699)...LA won three of four vs. Sacramento this season...The Lakers finished with a 27-14 road record...The Kings went 11-30 at home.