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Lakers gunning for revenge against Kings

Dec 12, 2008 - 11:18 AM Sacramento (6-16) at LA Lakers (18-3) 10:30 p.m. EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers do not have to wait long to earn retribution against their cross-state rivals.

The Lakers look for revenge on Friday when they host the lowly Sacramento Kings.

Los Angeles has been the best team in the Western Conference, but endured a slight hiccup on Tuesday, dropping a 113-101 decision to the Kings, who snapped an eight-game losing streak.

While it was the Lakers' third loss, two have come by at least 11 points.

Kobe Bryant finished with 28 points, but made only 9-of-25 shots from the field.

Bryant struggled to bounce back on Wednesday, hitting 6-of-16 shots from the floor. He recorded 18 points as Los Angeles rebounded with a 115-110 win against the shorthanded Phoenix Suns, who dressed only eight players after trading Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary to the Charlotte Bobcats earlier on Wednesday.

Francisco Garcia and John Salmons scored 21 points apiece to pace six players in double figures for the Kings during the victory over the Lakers. Sacramento limited the Lakers to 40 percent shooting (35-of-87) and will have to repeat that performance if it wants to earn consecutive victories for the second time this season.