Friday’s game between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center could very well be compared to the fisherman who had bad luck while out on the lake. The Kings had ample opportunity to put the Lakers away in this contest, holding a 20-point lead at one point and poised to pull off the upset.

But like the hapless fisherman, they let this one get away.

Not unlike a Hollywood script, Kobe Bryant had other plans as she drained a three-pointer at the horn, allowing Los Angeles to enter the New Year with a 109-108 win over Sacramento.

The sellout crowd let the Lakers know about their displeasure, booing them loudly after Jon Brockman’s layup gave Sacramento a 38-23 lead with 9:12 left in the second quarter. The Kings built the lead to 20 at 52-32 with a 3-pointer by Ime Udoka that capped a 26-9 run with 5:06 left in the half. Los Angeles continued to be as flat as half-empty champagne bottles left over from New Year’s Eve, shooting 37 percent from the field in the first half and trailing 64-49 at halftime.

The Lakers sensed some vigor after the break, whittling their deficit down to four on a Lamar Odom layup, but with 3:12 left in the third, Kenny Thomas’ layup put the Kings up 81-71; Odom’s two free throws would reduce Sacramento’s lead to 83-79 before Omri Casspi’s three-pointer put the Kings ahead by seven entering the final period. With 5:13 remaining in the game, Bryant drained a jumper which gave Los Angeles a 95-93 lead; three lead changes later, the Lakers would take their final timeout. Pau Gasol zoomed a nearly fumbled pass to Bryant who hit the game-winning trey just before the horn sounded.

Bryant led the Lakers with 39 points (including five 3-pointers), 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal while Odom scored 20 with 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a block; Gasol added 17 with 16 rebounds, 4 assists and a block while Andrew Bynum chipped in 16 with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks.

The Kings were led by Spencer Hawes with a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal while Casspi poured in 23 (including 3 treys) with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal; Beno Udrih chipped in 19 with a rebound, 13 assists and 2 steals.

Los Angeles (26-6) plays again on Sunday when they host the Houston Rockets while Sacramento (14-18) remain at home, hosting the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night.