(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-05 16:36

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Kobe Bryant scored 17 of his 34 points in an electric fourth-quarter performance, and Pau Gasol added 31 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 12th victory in 13 games, 117-105 over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, goes airborne as he passes around past Sacramento Kings forward Mikki Moore, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 4, 2008. [Agencies]

Bryant scored all of his fourth-quarter points in the final 5:56, including 11 straight as the Lakers took their first lead in a mean-spirited game between longtime rivals. Bryant, newly christened the NBA's player of the month for February, led the way with a series of balletic moves, including a spinning layup and a 360-degree two-handed jam as Los Angeles pulled away.

Lamar Odom added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who remained percentage points behind the San Antonio Spurs for the Western Conference lead by holding the Kings scoreless for 4:07 during the fourth as Bryant rained in jumpers and free throws. Los Angeles scored 14 straight points in the span.

Kevin Martin and Ron Artest scored 23 points apiece for the Kings, who lost for the fifth time in six games despite 3 1/2 solid quarters against their longtime nemeses. Brad Miller added 14 points and 12 rebounds while leading Sacramento's physical defensive plan against Bryant and the Lakers.

Getting tough nearly worked — but Kobe just got tougher.

The longtime Pacific Division rivals curiously hadn't played each other this season, but they'll make up for it during four meetings over the Lakers' final 22 games. Sacramento, which has beaten Detroit, San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans at home this season, came within a few minutes of another upset before Bryant took charge.

The Kings got physical with the Lakers from the opening tip, with Miller and Mikki Moore trading hard fouls with Gasol and Bryant before most fans had settled in their seats. Gasol then got a technical foul for taking a swipe at Miller in the third quarter after the Kings center used a stiff-arm to block out underneath the basket.

Moments later, Bryant was infuriated when an out-of-bounds call went against him, followed by a cherry-picking layup by Artest. Bryant swatted the ball into the crowd in frustration, and coach Phil Jackson called a timeout to calm down his agitated club.

A few possessions later, Derek Fisher landed an open-handed swipe on Miller's face as the center spun home an acrobatic layup. Miller also got a technical foul late in the quarter for arguing a no-call, but Sacramento built a 13-point lead.

Two nights after scoring 52 points against Dallas, Bryant saved his dramatics for the final minutes. After Sacramento never trailed in the first 43 minutes, the Lakers went ahead 101-100 on two free throws by Bryant with 4:04 to play as part of the decisive run.

Fisher finished with 17 points, while John Salmons had 17 for the Kings.