Wed, May 3rd, 2000

Kings stun Lakers for 2nd game in a row

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Lakers were beaten by a bunch of reserves named Jon, Tony and Predrag, and the NBA's best team this season suddenly was one loss from first-round playoff elimination.

Chris Webber had 23 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks, and the Sacramento reserves provided the decisive spark for the second consecutive game as the Kings defeated the Lakers 101-88 Tuesday night to even their series at 2-2.

The fifth and deciding game will be Friday night in Los Angeles, where the Lakers won the first two games of the series by comfortable margins. The Lakers, who went an NBA-best 67-15 this season, did not lose three straight games all year.

The winner of the series will face the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. Phoenix dethroned the San Antonio Spurs, wrapping up their series 3-1 with an 89-78 victory Tuesday night.

Kobe Bryant had 32 points for the Lakers, who never led in the game and got no closer than six points in the fourth quarter.

Shaquille O'Neal added 25, but struggled with his shooting touch for the second straight game. He went 10-of-22 from the field and missed seven of 12 foul shots.

Sacramento is trying to become the 13th team to rally and win a series after trailing 2-0. No team has accomplished that feat since the Houston Rockets in 1995.