Limping to the Finish -- in Some Cases, Literally

Kobe Bryant keeps playing despite a tender ankle and banged-up shin.

Lamar Odom still might check into a couple of games despite a strained left shoulder that has cost him 11 games.

Vlade Divac isn’t in top condition, but he logged 21 minutes in the Lakers’ 117-94 victory Friday night over the Seattle SuperSonics.

The Lakers have six games left, all of them meaningless as far as the pursuit of a playoff spot, which brings to mind three words: Why push it?

“We don’t know what’s going to happen next year,” Coach Frank Hamblen said. “A lot of these same guys I’m sure will still be back. Any time they can spend on the court together is valuable time.”

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Divac, a member of 14 playoff teams in 15 pro seasons before this one, discarded all possible excuses for the Lakers’ missing the playoffs.

“I believe talent-wise we’re at least a playoff team,” he said. “We can’t blame somebody else. We could say injuries, coaching changes, but I believe we could do better.”

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Hamblen, after Divac drew a foul Friday on SuperSonic forward Danny Fortson by flopping: “I almost stood up and booed. Then I remembered he was on my team.”

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TODAY

at Sacramento, 12:30, Channel 7

Site -- Arco Arena.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 34-42, Kings 47-30.

Record vs. Kings -- 1-1.

Update -- The Kings are still seeking an identity since trading Chris Webber in February to the Philadelphia 76ers for Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson. The Kings are fifth in the Western Conference and are 13-10 since trading Webber. The most notable Laker road victory came in December against the Kings, with Kobe Bryant scoring 31 points and the Lakers winning, 115-99.