Now they can rest. One day, then back to work. The Lakers won two of four games during their four-games-in-five-days marathon. They beat the Warriors tonight and needed double overtime to defeat the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. They lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday and the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers tonight with a season-best 44 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter. Pau Gasol added a season-high 27 points plus 12 rebounds.

Of Bryant, Golden State coach Don Nelson said: “That guy is amazing. You know, to be able to shoot like he did, with the finger problems that he has on his shooting hand, it’s amazing. Sixteen free throws for 16, take a game over like that, make jump shots. You know it’s not the same shot that he’s been shooting with that big ball of tape on his hand. That guy is amazing. You know, I love watching him play and it’s always a pleasure to coach against him.”