Lakers 98, Kings 95

LAS VEGAS -- The Lakers' first exhibition victory in three tries didn't lack for story lines. There was Kobe Bryant looking a lot like Kobe Bryant as he moved effortlessly around the court. He played almost 19 minutes and showed few signs of his slow recovery from offseason knee surgery. Then there was his wonky shot. He made only 2 of 10 shots and scored seven points. He had made only 4 of 28 shots in three exhibitions. There was more, too. Ron Artest and Pau Gasol had 18 points apiece and Shannon Brown had 17. Lamar Odom picked up a technical foul for raising his arms to protest a foul, violating a new rule forbidding such displays of dissent. Lakers coach Phil Jackson also had a technical foul. The Lakers broken open the game by outscoring the Kings, 28-12, in the third quarter. The backups then held on for the Lakers' first exhibition win after two losses last week in Europe. Oh yeah, and Mike Tyson was seated courtside. Nice!