SACRAMENTO, April 11 (UPI) -- Chris Webber had 25 points and 12 rebounds and Doug Christie 21 points Sunday as Sacramento routed the LA Lakers, 102-85, for a one-game Pacific lead.
The Kings scored the first eight points and led thereafter as they improved to 55-25, one game behind Minnesota (56-24) for the best record in the Western Conference.
Webber scored 10 points and Christie eight in the first quarter as Sacramento jumped out to a 31-15 lead. Neither Kobe Bryant nor Shaquille O'Neal, who picked up two quick fouls, attempted a shot in the opening period.
Christie added nine more points in the second quarter to help the Kings take a 54-35 cushion into the break. The hawkish defender kept Bryant scoreless until 3:51 remained in the third period.
The Lakers pulled within 73-62 on a three-pointer by Derek Fisher with 10:11 to play.
O'Neal finished with just 10 points and Bryant eight for the Lakers (54-26), who went 1-3 against the Kings this season. Sacramento will claim the division with a victory or a Los Angeles loss.
