``We're looking at the standings and wondering about where we're going to end up, but it's not a big deal,'' Stojakovic said. ``We know that if we win our last four games, we've got a chance to get past everybody. That would be great, but it won't matter a lot when the playoffs start.''
Thursday's game in Los Angeles will undoubtedly have a playoff feel, especially with it being so important for the Lakers' seeding.
``They don't need to win this ballgame, they've sewn up the Pacific Division,'' Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson said. ``If we want to move up in the standings, it's a must-game for us to win. Any loss now pretty much eliminates our chances of moving up to a different bracket.''
Though the Lakers are only sixth in the West, many still consider them the team to beat until someone knocks them out of the playoffs.
The Lakers discarded another West power on Tuesday, beating the Mavericks 108-99 at the Staples Center despite getting just 14 points apiece from Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal.
Devean George scored 21, Robert Horry had 17 and Derek Fisher and Rick Fox added 16 apiece as the Lakers placed six players in double figures.
O'Neal doesn't figure to settle for another quiet game Thursday, as he would no doubt love to get a measure of revenge against the Kings and their fans. O'Neal scored his 20,000th point last month in a game at Sacramento, but after the ball was taken out of play it was defaced by a fan.
However, he skipped practice Wednesday and annoyed Jackson, who wasn't satisfied by O'Neal's excuse of a flat tire.
``Something we wanted to do as a team was to kind of push ourselves here and create a playoff atmosphere for ourselves,'' Jackson said, ``so it's a little bit of a setback for us.''
The Kings have won two of three against Los Angeles this season, including a 105-99 win at the Staples Center on Christmas Day.
STANDINGS (through April 8): Kings - 1st place, Pacific Division. Lakers - 3rd place, 9 1/2 GB, Pacific Division.
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Sacramento just wondering who they are going to play in the first round. Lakers playing for respect. Sacramento is hoping its not the Lakers. Lakers kick butts.
Scott King of Dogs