(Sports Network) - Pacific division rivals meet tonight, as the Sacramento Kings host the first-place Los Angeles Lakers at ARCO Arena.

This is the first of four meetings between the clubs this season. The Lakers were 3-1 against the Kings last season and have won five of the last seven contests in the series.

The Lakers have won two in a row at Sacramento.

Los Angeles owns a 2 1/2-game lead over the second-place Phoenix Suns in the Pacific. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 52 points -- 20 of them on free throws -- and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Lakers edged the Dallas Mavericks in overtime, 108-104, on Sunday at the Staples Center.

Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds in the victory for Los Angeles, which has won 11 of its last 12 contests overall.

The Lakers are 21-11 as the visitor this season. After tonight's contest, they will return home for a three-game homestand versus the Clippers, Kings and Raptors.

Sacramento concludes a short two-game homestand tonight. Beno Udrih and Kevin Martin combined for 37 second-half points, as the Kings rallied from a 23- point deficit in the third quarter for a 120-109 win over the woeful Miami Heat at ARCO Arena.

Ron Artest finished with 32 points in the win for Sacramento, which snapped an eight-game skid against Miami. Martin ended with 29 points and Udrih totaled 23 points and nine assists for the Kings, who halted a four-game slide.

The Kings are 18-10 at home this season. They will visit the Clippers on Wednesday at the Staples Center.