Los Angeles ? Once again, the Los Angeles Lakers found a way to beat the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter. This time, Kobe Bryant had help.

A basket by Bryant with 2:27 remaining put the Lakers ahead for good and triggered a 10-4 game-closing run that gave them a 93-87 victory, enabling them to win the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series in five games.

The two-time defending NBA champion Lakers, 7-1 in these playoffs and 23-2 in their last 25 postseason games, face the Sacramento Kings in an All-California conference final beginning Saturday at Arco Arena.

Bryant scored 10 of his 26 points in the final period and also had eight rebounds and five assists. Shaquille O’Neal had 21 points and 11 rebounds and Rick Fox added 17 points and seven assists.

The Lakers bring a playoff-record 11-game road winning streak into their best-of-seven series against the Kings 8-0 last year and 3-0 this year.

Arco Arena will also be the site of Monday night’s second game with Games 3 and 4 to be played at Staples Center.