Lakers - Kings 96-90

Fox tries to steal the ball from Stojakovic during the Game 1

Los Angeles, USA, May 9 (agencies) - O'Neal became the first player with back-to-back 40-point, 20-rebound efforts in the playoffs, getting 43 points and 20 rebounds Tuesday night to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Sacramento Kings 96-90 (25-15, 18-28, 31-13, 22-34).

The defending NBA champion Lakers lead the Kings 2-0 in their best-of-seven second-round series, which continues Friday night in Sacramento.

The 7-foot-1, 330-pound O'Neal went over, around and through the Kings for the second time in three days, overpowering the likes of Vlade Divac, Scot Pollard and even Chris Webber in dominating the inside again. He had 44 points and 21 rebounds in the Lakers' 108-105 victory in Game 1 Sunday. Divac and Pollard were ineffective at both ends as they combined for six points, six rebounds and five fouls in 41 minutes.

Kobe Bryant added 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Horace Grant had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers.

In addition to being unable to stop O'Neal and Bryant, the Kings are struggled on offense, shooting just 36 percent (36-of-89). Their top two scorers, All Star power forward Chris Webber and Predrag - Peja Stojakovic, combined to make just 16-of-44 shots. Stojakovic added 20 points, all but six in the fourth quarter, and Bobby Jackson scored 14 for the Kings - eight in the second period.

The teams now head up the California coast for Games Three and Four on Friday and Sunday, but the Kings face an uphill task in trying to get back into the series.

Only seven teams in NBA history have come back to win a seven-game series after losing the first two games.