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Bynum, Turiaf help Lakers close preseason with win over Kings

Oct 27, 2007 - 5:04 AM LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- Minus Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers' role players carried the scoring load.

Andrew Bynum and Ronny Turiaf scored 18 points apiece as the Lakers posted a 101-97 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the preseason finale for both teams on Friday.

Bryant, whose status is in limbo after team owner Dr. Jerry Buss said he would "certainly listen" to offers for the nine-time All-star guard, did not travel with the team due to a wrist injury.

Kevin Martin scored 22 points and Francisco Garcia added 16 for Sacramento, which also was without one of it stars. The Kings will be without point guard Mike Bibby for the first two months of the season thanks to a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Meanwhile, Bynum, who was one player that Bryant suggested be traded, shot 7-of-10 from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds in just 23 minutes.

Derek Fisher added 15 points and Luke Walton dished out eight assists for Los Angeles, which hosts the Houston Rockets in its season opener on Tuesday.

Bryant is expected to be in uniform for that contest, but it appears his days in a Lakers' uniform are numbered.

While Kobe Bryant wasn't on the floor, Coby Karl was.

An undrafted free agent, Karl scored 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting in a last-ditch attempt at making the team.

As for Sacramento, it has its own problems to deal with as the season draws near.

Second-year guard Quincy Douby started in Bibby's place and scored 14 points, but failed to record an assist.

John Salmons, who will likely compete with Douby for the starting role until Bibby returns, scored 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting with two assists.

The Kings, who visit the New Orleans Hornets in the season opener on Wednesday, were without Ron Artest and first-round pick Spencer Hawes.

Artest, who was suspended for the first seven games of the season, was arrested in March after a domestic dispute. Meanwhile, Hawes - the 10th overall pick of June's draft - has been out since having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on October 9.