LAS VEGAS, 30 October 2005 — Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 24 points, including a crucial field goal with 45 seconds to play, as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 105-103 on Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams. Bryant, who had 17 in the second half, put the Lakers up 101-98 with his final field goal.
Lamar Odom, who had 19 points, had put the Lakers ahead for good, 97-96, with two free throws with 1:36 remaining. The free throws capped an 8-0 Laker run and wiped out a 96-89 Sacramento lead.
Kwame Brown added 15 points for the Lakers (6-2) and Devean George had 14.
Mike Bibby scored a team-high 20 points for the Kings (3-5) despite sitting out the fourth quarter. Sacramento’s Brad Miller had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Kevin Martin had 15 points. The Lakers led by as much as 48-34 in the second quarter before Sacramento began chipping away at the lead. The Kings had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Jason Hart’s 3-point attempt bounced off the backboard.
In New York, Larry Brown made it clear that the New York Knicks still have a lot of work to do before they open the regular season.
“If today’s an indication if we’re ready for opening night, I’d say we’re far from it,’’ the first-year Knicks coach said after New York wrapped up the exhibition season with a 91-86 loss to the New Jersey Nets.
Richard Jefferson led the Nets (5-3) with 19 points, Nenad Krstic had 16, Vince Carter 15 and Marc Jackson 14. New Jersey played without point guard Jason Kidd (left quadriceps) and forward-center Jason Collins (right knee). Both are expected to play Wednesday night in New Jersey’s regular-season opener at home against Milwaukee.
In Salt Lake City, Carmelo Anthony had 21 points and six rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to an 89-83 win over the Utah Jazz.
Voshon Lenard added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Nuggets, who went 7-1 in the exhibition season. Andre Miller was the only other Denver player in double figures, finishing with 15 points, to go along with six rebounds and five assists. The Nuggets had to hang on for the win after building a 14-point lead late in the third quarter.
In Indianapolis, Gilbert Arenas needed a half to shake off some of his rust. After a shaky first half, Arenas scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting in the third quarter to help Washington defeat Indiana 85-77 in the preseason finale for both teams.
Arenas missed the Wizards’ loss to Houston on Sunday with an eye abrasion and had missed two other preseason games due to groin soreness. He had struggled with his shooting throughout the preseason and had a rough first half Friday, going 2-for-10 from the field, scoring seven points. Arenas found his shot in the third quarter and finished with 16 points. He declared himself healthy for the regular season.
In Columbus, Ga., Zaza Pachulia scored 18 points and the Atlanta Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak with a 104-90 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in the teams’ final preseason game.
