Despite the rallying of fans for Kobe winning this year’s scoring title, Kevin Durant will take the honor. Bryant has decided to sit out tonight’s game against the Kings, focusing less on the scoring record and more on getting healthy for the playoffs. He was only 38 points away.
This is a smart move for Kobe. This game against the Kings will not matter towards Lakers playoff seeding, as the Lakers have clinched the third seed. It seems sensible to me that Kobe takes the night off to rest. Kobe is not injured, and is just resting in order to prevent a possible injury in the final game of the regular season. Other Laker starters will not be playing tonight; Matt Barnes and Devin Ebanks, both have afflictions they are nursing. Christian Eyenga will get his small forward debut with the team tonight, as he has been called from D-League D-Fenders in the middle of their D-League championship run.
The Lakers will start the playoffs this Sunday playing against the Thunder.
Tonight’s Matchup
Los Angeles Lakers (41-24) at Sacramento Kings (21-44)
7:30 PM PST, April 26, 2012
Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA
TV: KCAL
Radio: 710 ESPN (English) / 1330 ESPN (Spanish)
Kings Projected Starting Line-up
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Travis Outlaw
SF: Tyreke Evans
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Key Reserves: GF Francisco Garcia, PG Jimmer Fredette
Lakers Nation News
Kobe Bryant Will Sit Out Tonight’s Game
Lakers Call Up Christian Eyenga
Lakers vs Kings Pregame Report
Kobe Bryant No Longer the #1 In Jersey Sales
Lakers Open Playoffs this Sunday
Video: World Peace and Flopping
Mike Brown Rests Starters in Season Finale
Lakers News
Lakers Sit at 3rd Seed [Silver Screen and Roll]
Preview and Chat: Lakers vs Kings [Forum Blue and Gold]
Metta World Peace and the Dark Half [Hardwood Paroxysm]
Kobe Expects Lakers to Win Title [ESPN]
Bynum Can Relate to World Peace Suspension [LA Times]
NBA Blew a Chance to Send a Message with Metta World Peace [Sports Illustrated]
Clippers, Lakers Start Playoffs Sunday [OC Register]
Kobe Bryant Should Embrace the Way of the Gun [Silver Screen and Roll]
NBA News
NBA Players and the Union’s Ongoing Controversy [Yahoo Sports]
Lebron James is More of a Leader Now [SLAM]
James Harden Cleared to Return [ESPN]
Michael Jordan’s Bobcats Could Become the NBA’s Worst Ever [Yahoo Sports]
NBA Playoff Picture [CBS Sports]
Phil Jackson Coming Back for 50 million? [NBC Sports]
A Season Without Reason [CBS Sports]
Warrior’s Lee Having Surgery on Torn Ab Muscle [NBA.com]
