Lakers rally in second half to beat the Kings, 126-122

The Lakers shot the lights out at Staples Center, ending a three-game losing streak with a 126-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Point guard Jordan Farmar scored a career-high 30 points by making a career-high eight three-pointers in 10 attempts in 29 minutes off the bench.

As a team the Lakers shot 60% from the field and a blistering 70.4% (19 of 27) from three-point range.

For the first time since Feb. 4, 1998, the Lakers had four players score at least 20 points. The last time it happened it was done by Eddie Jones, Nick Van Exel, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

On Friday, MarShon Brooks scored a season-high 23 points, including a number of crucial baskets down the stretch to help close out the Kings.

The Lakers got 58 points off their bench, including five from forward Ryan Kelly.

Guard Jodie Meeks was perfect on eight shots to finish with 22 points, while power forward Pau Gasol contributed 22 points, five rebounds and six assists.

Forward Wesley Johnson notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Kent Bazemore chipped in 12 points and point guard Kendall Marshall had 10 assists, although he didn’t score. Farmar also had seven assists on his career night.

The Kings, who led by as many as 15 points, were led by the 32 points of forward Rudy Gay.

Point guard Isaiah Thomas finished with 26 points and eight assists. Derrick Williams, starting at power forward with center DeMarcus Cousins out because of a one-game suspension, had a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds.

Jason Thompson, who moved from power forward to center, also finished with a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards.

As a team, the Kings shot 50.5% from the field but only five of 15 from three-point range. Sacramento had a 44-31 rebound advantage, including a 15-2 edge on the offensive glass.

The Lakers also had to overcome 17 turnovers because they only forced the Kings into 11 miscues.

With the victory, the Lakers improve to 20-39, tied in the win column with the Boston Celtics (20-39) and Kings (20-38) when considering lottery position for the 2014 NBA draft.

Only the Milwaukee Bucks (11-46), Philadelphia 76ers (15-43) and Orland Magic (18-42) are lower in the standings.

The Lakers next travel to Portland to play the Trail Blazers (40-18) on Monday.

The Kings return home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves (28-29) on Saturday night.

Kings 99, Lakers 95 (end of third quarter)

The Lakers rallied to close to within four points entering the fourth quarter, led by hot shooting from point guard Jordan Farmar and guard Jodie Meeks.

Farmar scored 22 points off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting. Meeks, who hasn’t missed in eight attempts, also notched 22 points.

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol has contributed 20 points, six assists and five rebounds while point guard Kendall Marshall has dished 10 assists but hasn’t scored. Guard MarShon Brooks has also shot well, hitting 5 of 7 shots off the bench, for 12 points.

The Lakers have made 60.7% of their shots from the field and 66.7% (14 of 21) from three-point range but still didn’t have the lead after 36 minutes.

Forward Rudy Gay has scored 23 points for the Kings while point guard Isaiah Thomas has contributed 22 points and forward Derrick Williams had 21.

The Kings shot 56.3% from the field but only 4 of 11 from three-point range.

Kings 65, Lakers 54 (halftime)

The Lakers gave up 65 points in the first half and trail Sacramento by 11 points.

Forward Rudy Gay scored 15 points, point guard Isaiah Thomas added 14 and forward Derrick Williams had 12 for the Kings, who shot 58.7% from the field.

Power forward Pau Gasol was dominant with 18 points in 20 minutes, hitting eight of 12 shots, but the Lakers struggled to support that effort defensively.

Guard Jodie Meeks didn’t miss a shot in four tries to score 10 points and point guard Jordan Farmar missed only once in five attempts to contribute 11 points off the bench.

The Lakers shot 54.8% from the field and 55.6% from three-point range.

Kings 31, Lakers 27 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers jumped to a seven-point lead, but by the end of the first quarter, Sacramento had pulled ahead by four.

Forward Derrick Williams, promoted to the starting lineup with center DeMarcus Cousins suspended, led the Kings with eight points. Point guard Isaiah Thomas chipped in seven for the Kings, who shot 56.5% from the field.

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol scored 10 points in 10 minutes to lead all scorers. Guard Kent Bazemore contributed six for the Lakers, who shot 57.1% from the field.

Pregame

The Lakers (19-39) host the Sacramento Kings (20-37) on Friday night at Staples Center.

Sacramento will play without center DeMarcus Cousins, who was suspended one game by the NBA for throwing a punch in a loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night. Derrick Williams will start at power forward with Jason Thompson moving to center.

The Lakers are still without Nick Young (knee), Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (nerve root irritation) and Xavier Henry (knee).

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings.

ALSO:

Xavier Henry scores 15 points for D-Fenders in a loss-

Knicks sign former Lakers Earl Clark and Shannon Brown

NBA suspends Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins for game against Lakers

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.