Kobe, Gasol spark Lakers past Magic
Updated: 2008-02-09 17:07
Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and Spanish big man Pau Gasol added 30 to spark the Los Angeles Lakers past the Orlando Magic 117-113 on Friday in a National Basketball Association game.
 Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol (R) of Spain, starts his move around Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard during first-half NBA basketball action against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Florida February 8, 2008. [Agencies]
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The Lakers rallied after surrendering a 44-point opening quarter to Orlando, which had 19 points from Dwight Howard and 17 from Jameer Nelson.
There was so sign of trouble fvrom a dislocated right pinky finger that kept Bryant to 4-of-16 shooting in a Wednesday loss at Atlanta as the Lakers improved to 4-2 on a season-longest nine-game road trip.
Gasol, who joined the team a week ago, provided a second-half spark and put the Lakers ahead 111-108 with 2:39 remaining on a bank shot basket off a pass from Bryant.
Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu responded with four consecutive points to put the Magic ahead 112-111 but Bryant sank two free throws after being fouled on a run to the basket to put the Lakers ahead by one.
Howard was called from goaltending on a shot by Lamar Odom to stretch the Lakers' edge to 115-112 and Odom then blocked a Rashard Lewis shot. Bryant grabbed the loose ball, was fouled and sank two free throws with 14 seconds to play.
The Magic led 44-33 after the first quarter with their season-high in points for any quarter thanks to 18-of-24 shooting from the field, including an 8-of-11 showing from beyond the 3-point arc.
The Lakers battled back, with Bryant scoring 22 of his points in the first half and reserve Sasha Vujacic coming off the bench to score 10 points in the second quarter.
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