(Friday, January 1st)

Final Score: LA Lakers 109, Sacramento 108

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant drilled a game-winning three- pointer as time expired, lifting the Lakers to a thrilling 109-108 victory over Sacramento at Staples Center.

Ahead 108-106, Sacramento's Ime Udoka had a chance to ice the game at the foul line but missed a pair of free throws with 4.8 seconds to play.

After a timeout, Bryant set a pick on Sergio Rodriguez, who fell down to allow Bryant an open look on the left wing. The scoring leader nearly stepped out of bounds before narrowly getting off the game-winner as the buzzer sounded.

"It's always exciting to hit those," Bryant said of the game-winner. "The back side was open, it was a matter of getting to the spot. I just wanted to get out of here, so I wanted to take a three."

Bryant scored 27 of his 39 points in the second half, Lamar Odom chipped in 20 points and 10 rebounds and Pau Gasol ended with 17 and 16 for Los Angeles, which has won three of its last four.

Spencer Hawes recorded a career-high 30 points and Beno Udrih added 19 points and 13 assists for the Kings, who have lost four of five.

Rodriguez made a three-pointer 2 1/2 minutes into the fourth to push Sacramento's lead to 93-85.

LA responded with 10 straight points, with Bryant's step-back jumper giving the hosts the edge midway through the frame.

It was back-and-forth the rest of the way, as Gasol's go-ahead three-point play was followed by Omri Casspi's three-ball for a 106-104 Sacramento lead with 1:01 remaining.

After two Shannon Brown free throws tied it, Udrih made an acrobatic shot in the lane with 28.1 seconds. Brown then missed a three from the left corner, preceding Udoka's two missed freebies.

"I am so proud of our team but at the same time it's disappointing," Kings head coach Paul Westphal said. "[The Lakers] have a knack at the end of game that we are hoping to acquire."

The Kings led 28-23 after the first quarter and scored the first 10 points of the second to extend the margin.

By halftime, the Kings' lead was 64-49, which fell to 86-79 at the end of the third.

Game Notes

Lakers forward Ron Artest (concussion/lacerated left elbow) missed his fourth straight game...Sacramento rookie guard Tyreke Evans (ankle) missed his third straight...Casspi logged 23 points and Udoka 13 for the Kings, who made 54.4 percent from the floor...Andrew Bynum scored 16 points for LA, which made 23- of-29 from the foul line, compared to Sacramento's 12-of-16 free throw effort.

01/02 02:03:01 ET