Lakers Dethrone Kings 98-95

Kobe Bryant overcame shooting 4-13 in the first half to pour in 32 points including two clutch free throws in the final minute to put the game on ice over the DeMarcus Cousins-less Sacramento Kings. The Kings were game even without their franchise player, gumming up the Lakers offense by double- and triple-teaming Kobe with sometimes reckless abandon. Eventually, other Lakers began to make some open shots and the Kings strategy backfired.

Nick Young overcame some recent ice cold shooting to chip in 12 points on an at least mediocre 5-13 shooting, an improvement over Sunday's effort. Ed Davis also rewarded Byron Scott for his recent decision to start him with 11 points and 6 rebounds on 5-5 shooting. The man he replaced, Carlos Boozer, made an argument for himself to be inserted back in with the starters by scoring 15 points (on 6-13 shooting) of his own to go with 11 rebounds.

If Ramon Sessions' departure rattled the Lakers, his return simply rattled the rims, as the Kings guard shot 1 of 4 from the field in his return. The main positive offensively for the Kings was Darren Collison, the latest starting point guard to have his way with the purple and gold. Collison scored 26 points on 11-18 shooting, to go with his six assists.

A win over a Pacific Division Rival is always enjoyable, and It was fun to watch Swaggy P hit some crazy shots. It was also fun to see Kobe do this.

See you in San Antonio.