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SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- After snatching home-court advantage from the Sacramento Kings in the opening contest of the Western Conference finals, the Los Angeles hope to put them in a serious hole when they play Game Two on Monday. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 26 as the Lakers extended their road playoff winning streak to 12 games with a 106-99 victory over the Kings on Saturday. Bryant, however, is bothered by food poisoning and might miss Game Two. His availability with be a game-time decision. Los Angeles, which swept Sacramento in the conference semifinals en route to its second straight NBA title in 2001, never trailed en route to its fourth victory in five games against the Kings this season. Bryant did most of his damage in the first half with 16 points and O'Neal had a huge third quarter with 14. O'Neal dunked 3 1/2 minutes into the game for a 13-4 lead as the Lakers established control early. Los Angeles made nine of its first 10 shots, capped by a jumper by Rick Fox that made it 19-10. Bryant stole the ball from Mike Bibby and threw down a one-handed slam for a 36-22 lead after one quarter. Sacramento pulled within five points four times in the final two minutes, but Los Angeles had an answer each time. Bryant made four free throws and Derek Fisher sank 2-of-4 in the last minute. Chris Webber collected 28 points and 14 rebounds for Sacramento, which fell to just 3-3 at Arco Arena in the playoffs. The Kings had the NBA's best home record during the season at 36-5. The crowd at Arco Arena reached noise levels as high as 112 decibels, but it did not faze the two-time defending champions after their quick start. Los Angeles shot 67 percent (16-of-24) in the opening quarter by using unselfish play, registering 11 assists. The Kings played without All-Star forward Peja Stojakovic, who is expected to miss Game Two with a sprained right ankle. Hedo Turkoglu got the start in Stojakovic's place, missed all eight shots from the floor and did not score. Bryant made 12-of-26 shots and added six rebounds and five assists for the Lakers. They also got a boost from Robert Horry, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Sacramento got strong games from its point guards Bibby and Bobby Jackson, who combined for 30 points. But the free-wheeling Kings, normally one of the league's deadliest perimeter teams, made just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc without Stojakovic. Former Laker Vlade Divac collected 12 points and 11 rebounds. He had made comments before the game that Los Angeles could not win the title without home-court advantage, a curious statement considering the Lakers' winning ways on the road. Doug Christie fouled out with 13 points for Sacramento, which got into foul trouble trying to contain O'Neal. Webber and Divac each committed five fouls. |
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