Kobe Leads Lakers to Dethrone the Kings

Tuesday, March 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

The defending champions finally got over their brief slump that would have been detrimental especially now that the playoffs are nearing as they recorded their 50th win of the season. Led by Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles won their fourth-straight game after losing three in the early days of March and they showed their fearsome teeth that made them the leading and heavily-favored team out in the wild Western Conference. It was business as usual for Bryant as he tallied 30 points to power his team past the Sacramento Kings on a 106-99 victory as rival fans chanted MVP despite their home team's third loss to the defending champs. Of the previous two, one was decided in double overtime while the other was decided by Bryant's spectacular buzzer-beater.

The powerful and unstoppable trio of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum combined for 79 of the Lakers' 106 points as Gasol and Bynum added 28 and 21 respectively to Bryant's game-high 30 points. The twin towers down low also dominated the paint with a combined rebounding prowess of 24 boards. But Phil Jackson still reminded his squad that they should get more help from other players like Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and their reserves especially in back-to-back games. With the competition getting tougher as the season gives way to the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers need all the help they can get from everybody if they want a repeat performance of their championship run last year.

Despite Tyreke Evans heroic efforts of 25 points, 9 assists and 11 rebounds, they found themselves outplayed in both ends of the court. They simply had no answer for big man Andrew Bynum from the start of the game when he scored 11 of the first 15 points by the Lakers. The Sacramento Kings dropped down to 23-45 while the Los Angeles Lakers enjoys their perch on top of the Western Conference ladder with 50-18.