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Metta World Peace says he’s starting in place of Kobe Bryant vs. Sacramento

Kobe Bryant, right, and Metta World Peace watch from the bench as the Lakers play Denver on March 2.

Kobe Bryant, right, and Metta World Peace watch from the bench as the Lakers play Denver on March 2.

(Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)
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Kobe Bryant was expected to skip Tuesday’s game against Sacramento, according to Lakers forward Metta World Peace, who said he was told he would take Bryant’s spot in the lineup.

Bryant has been trying to save his body for the April 13 season finale, and has made a habit of sitting out games at Staples Center, almost 40% of them since declaring his intent to retire.

Bryant had played the last two at home, losses to Cleveland and New York. They were high-profile games for him, against LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but Sacramento didn’t offer as much.

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World Peace is averaging 4.4 points and has started only three games for the Lakers (14-53).

“It’s my first start at home,” said World Peace, who did not play in the NBA last season.

Bryant, 37, has complained of constant pain in his shoulder, the same one in which he sustained a season-ending torn rotator cuff last year.

He is averaging 16.8 points on woeful 35.6% shooting. He is last out of 118 NBA qualifiers in field-goal accuracy, slightly below Denver rookie Emmanuel Mudiay (35.9%).

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