Preview: Lakers, Kings Square Off

The Lakers travel to Sacramento tonight for their first meeting of the season with a familiar foe - the Sacramento Kings.

Kobe Bryant, LAL SG

The Lakers are coming off a Sunday overtime win against the Mavericks. A game in which Kobe Bryant carried LA to victory, notching 52 points, including 30 in the 4th and overtime periods.

“It was a physical game,” Kobe Bryant said after the game. “It was back and forth. We didn’t play extremely well, but it felt good to get this one done.”

Bryant struggled going into halftime, as he missed 7 of his 10 free throw attempts. “It was really frustrating. I was really upset with myself here at halftime,” said Bryant. “And, I just got to relax and go up there and line them up and knock them down.”

Bryant didn’t miss a free throw for the rest of the game, going 17-17 in the 2nd half.

“Going back to Sacramento without the Lakers for a few years, I was still getting booed, actually, so I can’t imagine how they’re going to feel when I show up [tonight] with the purple and gold on again,” said Derek Fisher on tonight’s meeting with Sacramento.

Fisher struggled on Sunday, in limited minutes, as he only knocked down 3 of his 11 shot attempts.

The Lakers should recieve a boost for tonight’s game, as Vladimir Radmanovic, who has been out of action for the past 5 games, is expected to play tonight, according to Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

Los Angeles won last season’s series with Sacramento, taking 3 out of the 4 games.

Kings Starting 5:

Injury Report:

Shareef Abdur-Rahim: Right Knee Surgery - Out

Lakers Starting 5:

Injury Report:
Trevor Ariza: Broken Foot - Out
Andrew Bynum: Left Patella Subluxation - Out
Chris Mihm: Right Ankle Bursitis - Out
Vladimir Radmanovic: Strained Right Calf - Probable