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Kobe Bryant has food poisoning

SACRAMENTO, May 20 (UPI) -- All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, who has taken his already fabulous game to yet another level this postseason, has contracted food poisoning and may be scratched from the lineup Monday night when the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers play the Sacramento Kings in Game Two of the Western Conference finals.

According to Lakers' spokesman, John Black, Bryant missed the team's morning shoot around because he was too ill.

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A report by the Sacramento Bee indicated that Bryant ate a cheeseburger and a piece of cheesecake from hotel room service.

"He began vomiting about 11 p.m. and it continued through the night," Black said.

Several Los Angeles media outlets reported that Bryant would be on the sidelines Monday night, but Coach Phil Jackson said his availability would be a "game-time decision."

Bryant was spectacular, and at times unstoppable, in the conference semifinals against San Antonio. He averaged 26.2 points per contest, and began this series with 30 points, 16 of which came in a dominant first half in Saturday's opener, which the Lakers led from tap-to-buzzer and won, 106-99. He also had six rebounds and five assists.

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