Lakers lead Game 2 of NBA finals 40-35 at halftimeLOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant and the balanced Los Angeles Lakers led Rashard Lewis and the Orlando Magic 40-35 at halftime. Los Angeles to host 2011 NBA All-Star game at Staples CenterLOS ANGELES — The NBA All-Star game will return to Los Angeles for a record fifth time in 2011. Nelson’s return from shoulder injury puts Magic’s Alston in tricky spotLOS ANGELES — Rafer Alston helped guide the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals, then helped them take a lead after the first quarter of Game 1. Randy Smith, ex-Buffalo Braves star who set consecutive games mark, dies at 60HARTFORD, Conn. — Randy Smith, a blindingly fast All-Star with the Buffalo Braves in the 1970s who once held the NBA record for consecutive games, died while working out on a treadmill. He was 60. First Step: Kobe Bryant scores 40 as focused Lakers rout Magic 100-75 in Game 1 of NBA finalsLOS ANGELES — One step toward redemption, one step toward a ring. Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson returns from shoulder injury for Game 1 of NBA finalsLOS ANGELES — All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson returned to the Orlando Magic for Game 1 of the NBA finals, playing the entire second quarter before struggling in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Redeem Team II: Kobe Bryant, Lakers hoping to atone for last year’s finals failureLOS ANGELES — His smile has vanished, replaced by something closer to a scowl. His days of joking around are seemingly on hold. Kobe Bryant has gotten deadly serious. He has that look, you’ve seen the one. It’s the cold-blooded, get-out-of-my-way-or-pay glare he’ll shoot at a teammate who messes up or an opponent who dares to try and stop him. Magic Moment: Howard scores 40 as Orlando makes NBA finals with 103-90 win over Cavs in Game 6ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic can no longer be ignored. After 14 frustrating years, a team overlooked and ignored all season sent LeBron James home and is on its way to face Kobe Bryant in the NBA finals. Magic Moment: Howard scores 40 as Orlando makes NBA finals with 103-90 win over Cavs in Game 6ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic can no longer be ignored. After 14 frustrating years, a team overlooked and ignored all season sent LeBron James home and is on its way to face Kobe Bryant in the NBA finals. Lakers knock off Nuggets, return to NBA finalsLOS ANGELES - Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers knocked off the Denver Nuggets, and punched a return ticket to the National Basketball Association (NBA) finals. Kobe Bryant scores 35 points and Lakers top Nuggets 119-92 in Game 6 to get back to NBA finalsDENVER — Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are heading back to the NBA finals after dispatching the pesky Denver Nuggets with a 119-92 victory in Game 6 on Friday night. Postseason NBA SchedulePhiladelphia 100, Orlando 98 Orlando 96, Philadelphia 87 |