Lakers Surge Past Kings in Second Half

The Sacramento Kings came to the Forum Sunday night for a game against the Lakers, made it interesting for a half and then, true to form, were flattened again.

After trailing by seven at halftime, the Lakers scored 16 of the first 22 points in the third quarter, outscored Sacramento, 60-37, in the second half and won, 110-94, to extend their lead to a full game in the Pacific Division.

It was the Kings’ 42nd consecutive loss at the Forum, a streak that began more than 17 years ago while they still called Kansas City home. But the Forum is not the only arena that the Kings find uninviting, having lost 50 of their last 52 games on the road.

Sacramento is basketball’s worst road team since the Washington Generals, the longtime foils of the Harlem Globetrotters. But at least the Generals are amusing. The Kings on the road are pitiable. Or is that pitiful?

Against another team, Coach Mike Dunleavy might have had to read the riot act to the Lakers at halftime, which he did in another game recently when they failed to make an appearance in the first half. At halftime of this game, he simply asked them a question.

“I asked who has the alarm clock that turns us on in the second half,” he said.

It turned out to be reserve forward A.C. Green, who had 14 of his 20 points and seven of his 10 rebounds during the second half, and forward Sam Perkins, who had a more balanced performance to finish with 23 points and 13 rebounds. James Worthy had 18 points and seven rebounds.

“A.C. just kicked our (butts),” Sacramento Coach Dick Motta said. “He is great. I’ve heard they were going to trade him for years. I don’t think so.”

Until someone started kicking something for the Lakers, they were standing around a lot. That was particularly true on defense, as evidenced by the Kings’ 68% shooting during the first half. Starting guards Mitch Richmond and Spud Webb combined to make 12 of 16 shots from the field before halftime as the Kings twice had a 14-point lead.

“Teams are no longer afraid of the Lakers,” Dunleavy said. “We can’t go out there thinking we’re going to win just because we’re wearing the gold. We’re going to have to be a team that gets in your face and plays defense.”

That is how the Lakers played during the second half. Richmond still finished with 23 points to lead the Kings, but Webb made only one field goal and scored four points after halftime.

Still, Motta sounded encouraged when he said: “We’re a hell of a lot better than we were last year at this time. We have finally earned some respect. For the most part, we are making progress. But we’re still young.”

Dunleavy sounded relieved.

“On the one hand, it’s good to know that you can come from behind because you’ve done it before,” he said. “On the other hand, you don’t want to have to rely on it night after night.”

Laker Notes

Laker General Manager Jerry West was expected to hold a news conference before the game to discuss the possibility of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s return, but West called in sick. Said Laker Coach Mike Dunleavy: “If we can afford him and he can show he can play, we’d have to give it some serious thought. He probably hasn’t forgotten how to shoot that sky hook.” On the chances of Magic Johnson returning for the playoffs, Dunleavy said, “If he hasn’t ruled it out, I haven’t ruled it out.” . . . The Lakers will begin a three-game trip Tuesday at Chicago. They will play Minnesota Thursday and Detroit Friday before returning home for a Sunday night game against Phoenix. Johnson will accompany the Lakers on the trip.