The Orlando Magic (44–20) never relinquished their lead, coming away with a hard-fought 96–94 win against the reigning NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers (46–17), on Sunday in Orlando. The game was a rematch of the 2009 NBA Finals.
Vince Carter led Orlando with 25 points—including 15 in the first quarter—while the rest of the starting lineup turned in double-digit scoring performances.
Dwight Howard had 15 points and 16 rebounds despite being plagued with foul trouble early on.
Kobe Bryant scored 34 points for the Lakers, and the big Spaniard Pau Gasol played a major role with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
In their first meeting of the season in January, the Lakers beat the Magic 98–92 in L.A. with a healthy Kobe Bryant. Bryant then broke his finger and sat out for five games.
It’s been a rough patch for the Lakers since Bryant’s return, and the Magic have soared in recent weeks. The Lakers were coming into Sunday’s game having lost two straight, and hadn’t lost three in a row since two years ago.
Orlando dominated the first quarter with prolific scoring from Carter, who went a perfect 3–3 in field goals and 10–10 in free throws. He drew many fouls from good aggressive drives to the basket.
“I’m just trying to get into the paint and make plays. If I can’t take it, I’ll try to find the open man,” Carter told ESPN at the half after finishing with 17 points.
Bryant also had an excellent half with 16 points. The Lakers took advantage of Howard’s absence after he picked up his third foul in the second quarter. His replacement, Marcin Gortat, scored six points and blocked a shot while Howard watched from the bench.
Orlando led 52–48 at halftime after being up by 10 points as the Lakers rallied late to close the gap. Gasol ended the half by blocking a shot and then impressively sprinting coast-to-coast for a flying dunk.
The second half opened with a slew of fouls and rising tensions after Bryant and Orlando’s Matt Barnes exchanged words. Bryant’s aggressive box out angered Barnes, earning them a double technical.
Barnes was in Bryant’s face for the next several minutes and almost picked up a second technical, which would’ve ejected him from the game. However, the referees got in the middle of the heated exchange to calm the waters between the two and Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was able to keep Barnes in for most of the quarter.
“It is a very emotional game,” Van Gundy said at the end of the third quarter. “We’ve got to play through it on the defensive end and really just play our game on the offensive end.”
Orlando extended their lead to 12 points midway through the third quarter with Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis heading the charge, but the Lakers were able to trim the deficit.
Bryant swished a 3-pointer from the left corner with a minute left to bring the Lakers within two points.
Nelson was then fouled and went 1–2 from the line to give Orlando a three-point lead. Bryant followed with an apparent tying 3-pointer, but the officials reviewed the play and determined that his foot was on the line.
Carter was then sent to the line and went 1–2, giving the Lakers a chance to either tie or win. However, Bryant’s attempt bounced off the back of the rim, sealing Orlando’s victory.
Vince Carter led Orlando with 25 points—including 15 in the first quarter—while the rest of the starting lineup turned in double-digit scoring performances.
Dwight Howard had 15 points and 16 rebounds despite being plagued with foul trouble early on.
Kobe Bryant scored 34 points for the Lakers, and the big Spaniard Pau Gasol played a major role with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
In their first meeting of the season in January, the Lakers beat the Magic 98–92 in L.A. with a healthy Kobe Bryant. Bryant then broke his finger and sat out for five games.
It’s been a rough patch for the Lakers since Bryant’s return, and the Magic have soared in recent weeks. The Lakers were coming into Sunday’s game having lost two straight, and hadn’t lost three in a row since two years ago.
Orlando dominated the first quarter with prolific scoring from Carter, who went a perfect 3–3 in field goals and 10–10 in free throws. He drew many fouls from good aggressive drives to the basket.
“I’m just trying to get into the paint and make plays. If I can’t take it, I’ll try to find the open man,” Carter told ESPN at the half after finishing with 17 points.
Bryant also had an excellent half with 16 points. The Lakers took advantage of Howard’s absence after he picked up his third foul in the second quarter. His replacement, Marcin Gortat, scored six points and blocked a shot while Howard watched from the bench.
Orlando led 52–48 at halftime after being up by 10 points as the Lakers rallied late to close the gap. Gasol ended the half by blocking a shot and then impressively sprinting coast-to-coast for a flying dunk.
The second half opened with a slew of fouls and rising tensions after Bryant and Orlando’s Matt Barnes exchanged words. Bryant’s aggressive box out angered Barnes, earning them a double technical.
Barnes was in Bryant’s face for the next several minutes and almost picked up a second technical, which would’ve ejected him from the game. However, the referees got in the middle of the heated exchange to calm the waters between the two and Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was able to keep Barnes in for most of the quarter.
“It is a very emotional game,” Van Gundy said at the end of the third quarter. “We’ve got to play through it on the defensive end and really just play our game on the offensive end.”
Orlando extended their lead to 12 points midway through the third quarter with Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis heading the charge, but the Lakers were able to trim the deficit.
Bryant swished a 3-pointer from the left corner with a minute left to bring the Lakers within two points.
Nelson was then fouled and went 1–2 from the line to give Orlando a three-point lead. Bryant followed with an apparent tying 3-pointer, but the officials reviewed the play and determined that his foot was on the line.
Carter was then sent to the line and went 1–2, giving the Lakers a chance to either tie or win. However, Bryant’s attempt bounced off the back of the rim, sealing Orlando’s victory.
Friends Read Free