The Sports Informant

By Scott Levin
Sports Informant Contributing Writer

The Kings hung around Tuesday night with the defending champs. But because of some poor shooting, they were unable to make any runs, falling to the Lakers, 106-99. Sacramento shot just 42.9 percent from the field and compounded that by making just 71.4 percent from the free throw line. They kept the deficit around 10 for much of the second half but couldn’t close in on Los Angeles, which got 79 points from Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

1 – Tyreke Evans was a one man band. No longer content with posting 20-5-5, Evans has seemingly set his sights on nightly triple-doubles. The Kings rookie finished one assist shy, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists. The problem was Sacramento couldn’t find a sidekick for Evans. The post play was inconsistent, but more problematic was the combined 4-for-16 shooting from Evans’ perimeter mates Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia and Donte Greene.

Tyreke Evans nearly scored a triple double against the Lakers. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

2 - Rebounding has been trouble for the Kings all season long, and a team like the Lakers will make them pay for their struggles. The Kings gave up 14 offensive rebounds to Los Angeles, resulting in 23 second-chance points. With Jon Brockman out, Sacramento lacks a dominant, physical rebounder who will just rip down the boards. Too many times the Kings will weakly tip the ball or not secure the rebound.

3 - One positive from the game was the Kings only committed nine turnovers. The backcourt of Evans and Udrih, who can both handle the ball, continues to help the team in this area. The two combined for a 17-2 assist-to-turnover ratio, an excellent number especially against a strong defensive team in the Lakers.

Quick hits - Carl Landry finished with solid numbers — 15 points and 10 rebounds — but he missed some open jump shots in the early stages of the game that kept him from establishing himself … Spencer Hawes looked like he was headed for his usual good game against the Lakers. But he disappeared in the second half, ending up with 13 points and just three rebounds in 23 minutes. He did block five shots … The Kings were whistled for 25 fouls compared to Los Angeles’ 18. But both teams shot 28 free throws.