The Los Angeles Lakers mounted a comeback, but the Sacramento Kings were able to prevail 100-91. The Lakers were within striking distance with six minutes left to play in the game, and were able to get the King lead down to two points. However, Marcus Thornton, with 27 points, and the Kings were able to regroup and stave off Kobe Bryant's 29 points and the rest of the Lakers.
Meta World Peace came alive again in the fourth quarter, with three key baskets as the Lakers made their way back into the game. Paul Gasol also made an impact, as he, Bryant, and Derrick Fisher got into a rhythm which saw the Lakers surge ahead.
The Lakers had won three out of four against the Kings last year and won five straight in Sacramento. In the end, tired legs just came up short in the Lakers second straight of three straight games to open the season. It's the Lakers only three straight game stretch of the season, and it burns through three of the four games that Andrew Bynum is suspended for to begin the season.
Demarcus Cousins finished with a double double, scoring 12 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. The battle between the shooting guards was an offensive explosion the entire game, but Cousins was able to keep Gasol out of sync for long enough that Gasol's second half resurgence felt more like a pocket burst than a sustained performance.
The Lakers return to the Staples Center to play the Utah Jazz tomorrow night. New head coach Mike Brown will go for his first Laker win in his fifth attempt. The Lakers will then have a day off, then head right back into the thick of it on Thursday.
For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and their glittering gold, check out www.silverscreenandroll.com