(My Sportsbook) - Madison Square Garden is known as the World's Most Famous Arena for good reason.

The current incarnation of The Garden has seen it all. In fact, the arena is alive for about 320 events per year. Whether it's the Knicks, Rangers, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, big time boxing, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show or World Wrestling Entertainment, fans flock to MSG to see just about everything.

One thing no one had ever seen in the four incarnations of the Mecca of Pro Basketball was a 61-point effort in an NBA game, but that all changed Monday night when the Lakers' Kobe Bryant lit up the Knicks for an arena record 61 in LA's 126-117 victory over New York.

In doing so, Bryant posted the fifth 60-plus point game of his career, second only to legendary Wilt Chamberlain's 32, while surpassing Michael Jordan's career total of four. Another former Laker great, Elgin Baylor, is the only other player to post multiple 60 points games with three. Additionally, Bryant surpassed Jordan's 55-point MSG opponent record and Bernard King's 60-point building record.

In the 13th 60-point game in Lakers history, Bryant also converted 20 free throws without a miss, establishing a new team record that surpassed the old mark of 18-for-18 held by Magic Johnson and Jerry West. In fact, Bryant's 20 free throws without a miss is the second best in NBA history behind Dominique Wilkins' 23-of-23 effort in December of 1992.

SUNS HOPE TO BUILD ON IMPRESSIVE WIN

Badly in need of a win, the Suns salvaged the finale of a three-game homestand Monday, leading wire-to-wire for the fourth time this season and tallying the largest margin of victory in US Airways Center history with a 129-81 pasting of the Sacramento Kings.

The margin tied for the second-largest in franchise history and was never in doubt as Phoenix scored 40 first-quarter points en route to 73 first-half points, just eight fewer than the Kings scored for the entire game.

The Suns were led out of the blocks by Jason Richardson, who scored 16 of his 24 points in the first quarter when he nearly outscored the entire Sacramento team (19-16).

Amare Stoudemire scored a game-high 25 for Phoenix, which shot 51.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three-point range and racked up season highs in points, rebounds and steals.

The Suns led by as many as 50 points in the rout, their largest lead of the season, in part because of a season-high 30 fastbreak points and 32 points off Kings' turnovers.

Phoenix reached 100 points before the end of the third quarter for the second time this season as all 12 Suns played in the game, five scored in double figures and 11 scored at least five points.

WARRIORS FIND IT HARD TO FINISH

The Golden State Warriors have been involved in a number of razor close games this season, but have had a difficult time closing out many of them.

Don Nelson's club has lost 10 games this season where they have been leading or tied in the final four minutes of the game. A disappointing season could have had a very different look to it if Monta Ellis was healthy early on and helped Golden State get over the top in four or five of those contests.

In the past 10 games alone, the Warriors have been involved in an overtime loss, a triple overtime loss and two back-to-back buzzer beating defeats.

So far this season the Warriors have played in 16 games decided by five points or less and are 6-10 in those games. Golden State has also played in five overtime games this season which is the second most in the NBA.

A big time go-to-guy down the stretch may have been able to turn that 6-10 mark around.

FIRE SALE IN SACRAMENTO?

With the February 19 trade deadline looming, the struggling Sacramento Kings may be on the verge on a fire sale.

Everyone, save Kevin Martin, is said to be on the block in Sacramento with underrated swingman John Salmons drawing the most interest. Two league sources told the Sacramento Bee that Oklahoma City really wants the seventh-year player. The Thunder are reportedly offering the $4.8 million expiring contract of veteran forward Joe Smith in the deal, although it is not known if Oklahoma City is willing to ante up a young player or draft picks as well.

Meanwhile, Dallas is believed to have a keen interest in point guard Beno Udrih as a possible backup for Jason Kidd, and Orlando may also be in the market after Jameer Nelson's possible season-ending shoulder injury.

Center Brad Miller and forward Kenny Thomas remains in the mix for a possible deal with Miami involving Shawn Marion, while the Bulls and Lakers have also reportedly expressed an interest in Miller. LA's involvement may heat up now that Andrew Bynum is on the shelf for an extended period of time.

Finally, veteran forward Mikki Moore recently said that the Nets informed him of their desire to bring him back to North Jersey and the Nets have already offered Maurice Ager to the Kings for Quincy Douby.

FINALLY, SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT

A spate on injuries along with ineptitute have torpedoed the Clippers' season but a pair of bright spots have emerged from the darkness over the pass couple of days.

First, the talented Eric Gordon earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for January, edging out Minnesota's Kevin Love, Gordon ranked first among rookies in scoring for the month (21.9 ppg), fourth in assists (4.1 apg) and first in minutes (41.1 mpg).

In addition, the first-year guard led all Western Conference rookies in free throw percentage (.907) and scored a career-high 41 points against the Thunder on January 23, the most points ever scored by a Clippers rookie, besting Al Thornton's 39-point performance of last season.

Then, power forward Zach Randolph returned to the Clippers lineup on February 2 against Miami. It was the first game for Randolph since injuring his left knee on December 22 in a loss to Toronto.

The daily double-double threat's absence was painfully evident when the Clips went a miserable 2-17 in his absence.