Kobe takes Kings to the brink

Shaq has had a huge postseason for the Lakers

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Western Conference

Kobe Bryant weighed in with 26 second-half points to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a 103-81 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

The reigning champions are now within one win of a sweep of the best-of-seven Western Conference semi-finals, and can wrap the series up in Sacramento on Sunday.

Shaquille O'Neal, who made history in the first two games by becoming the first player in NBA history to post consecutive games of at least 40 points and 20 rebounds, got 21 points and 18 rebounds this time.

I'm just kind of wallowing in self-pity over this

  Chris Webber
Sacramento Kings

For Sacramento, Chris Webber scored 28 points and snared 14 rebounds. But Predrag Stojakovic, hounded by Rick Fox, got just 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting.

The Kings hit only 32 out of 91 shots and missed their first 13 three-pointers until Hidayet Turkoglu threw one in just before the final buzzer.

Sacramento pulled within six points late in the third quarter, giving hope to the Arco Arena sellout crowd of 17,317.

But then Bryant, who had 36 points for the game, took over. He had missed 12 of his first 15 shots but made his last seven.

He also attacked the basket and repeatedly got to the foul line, where he was 16-of-19.

Eastern Conference

A three-point barrage from Vince Carter set one NBA play-off record and tied another as he scored 50 points to lead the Toronto Raptors to a 102-78 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Carter was on fire from deep for Toronto

Playing at home in front of an Air Canada Centre record crowd of 20,436, the Raptors grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final series.

Looking to respond to Allen Iverson's 54-point explosion in game two in Philadelphia, Carter started with purpose.

He made his first eight three-pointers as he shattered the play-off mark for one half.

More known for his high-flying dunks, he finally missed from long range just before half-time.

Carter scored 34 points in the first half as Toronto seized a 58-41 lead.

He even took an extended defensive turn on Iverson, helping to hold the NBA's scoring leader without a basket in the second period.

Carter made just one three-pointer in the second half, but it was an important one.

When I hit my first four three-pointers, the rim opened up for me

  Vince Carter

Philadelphia had cut a 21-point deficit to 11 with just over one minute left in the third quarter, when Carter drilled his last three-pointer.

And the 76ers got no closer than 12 points thereafter.

Overall, Carter made 19-of-29 shots, including 9-of-13 from the three-point line.

His eight three-pointers in the first half eclipsed the mark shared by five players, including Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller.

And his total of nine tied the record set by Rex Chapman of Phoenix against Seattle in 1997.

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Friday's NBA results:

Western Conference:

Sacramento Kings 81-103 LA Lakers
(Lakers lead series 3-0)

Eastern Conference:

Toronto Raptors 102-78 Philadelphia 76ers
(Raptors lead series 2-1)