With Lakers fans filling Arco in recent years, many Kings fans have accepted the fact the rivalry has become one-sided. LosAngeles had won eight of the previous 10 meetings entering Tuesday.

Jackson said he eagerly awaited the return of the Western Conference showdowns.

"Rivalries are good," Jackson said. "They are good for Basketball. If the teams play well, they are good for the league. It increases all the attention paid to the league. Right now, there are three or four teams in the West that have fallen on hard times."

The Kings qualify as one of those teams, but Jackson said they have challenged the Lakers. Jackson told the Los Angeles Times the Kings are better than their record reflects.

"I think they play harder than we do on the floor," Jackson said. "We've won a majority of the games lately, but I was amazed at how hard they played. That's a real indication of how much they really are after this rivalry to try to make a good game of it. I'm impressed with their energy on the court. We have to come out there and meet their energy."

The Kings lived up to that by jumping out to an 11-2 lead in the first quarter.

Missing Martin -- Shooting guard Kevin Martin missed his 13th game of the season, sitting out because of a sore left ankle, which has troubled him since early November. There is no timetable for his return.

"There is just something going on that is uncomfortable," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "Sometimes there are no answers for that. You just have to let it get better."

This little toe -- Point guard Beno Udrih, playing despite a sprained middle toe on his left foot, said running and pushing off are no longer issues.

Carril returns -- Pete Carril sat near the Kings' bench on Tuesday during a visit to Sacramento for his annual appointment with his heart doctor.

The former longtime Kings assistant coach said he has been in good health lately. And he continues to keep up with the Kings.

"They've been playing lousy, but tonight they are playing good," said Carril, 78.

Knot tied -- When Shelden Williams' and Candace Parker's busy schedules continued to cause them to push back their plans for a big wedding, the couple decided to elope Nov. 13 in Lake Tahoe. The newlyweds live in Sacramento with their three dogs.

Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text Kings to 72737