Kobe & Gasol Look Pretty Healthy As Lakers Hold Off Magic 117-113

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

For two guys who were supposed to be hurt they really played pretty well. Kobe Bryant who had a dislocated pinkie on his right hand, and center Pau Gasol who was having back problems on Thursday led the charge as the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night, won a rollercoaster of a game 117-113 over the Orlando Magic. It was a game of blown leads, missed opportunities, and some pretty exciting basketball. Los Angeles shot 53.2% from the floor, and 50% from outside the arc. Orlando shot pretty well themselves as shot 49.4% from the floor, 46.9% from three point range.

The Magic shot the lights out in the first quarter as they led at the end of the period, 44-33, but then went ice cold in the second quarter, while L.A. took over as the Lakers grabbed a 64-63 lead when the two teams reached the half. Los Angeles looked like they were on the verge of a blowout leading 98-87 at the end of three quarters, but Orlando?came roaring back in the final minutes of the fourth. The Magic took a lead of 112-111 as Hedo?Turkoglu made a pair at the line with 1:49 left in the game. But Kobe made a pair at the line, and then Lamar Odom took away all doubt as he hit a “J” with 30 seconds left.

Kobe was 11-26 from the floor, 14 of 16 at the line for a game high 36 points,?10 boards,?6 assists,?1 block. Gasol scored 30 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, Derek Fisher scored 14 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds. Odom scored?12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Vladimir Radmanovic scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block. Sasha Vujacic had another nice night off the bench with 10 points, 2 rebounds.?

Dwight Howard led 7 Orlando players in double figures with a double-double 19 points, 11 boards 1 assist. Jameer Nelson back in the starting lineup, scored 17 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds, Hedo scored 16 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal. Rashad Lewis scored 16 points, 3 assists, 3?rebounds, 1 steal, Maurice Evans had 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists. Brain Cook contributed 11 points, 4 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, Keith Bogans also scored 11, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block. Los Angeles is now 32-17, Orlando 32-20.

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