Lakers edge Magic to take 2-0 lead in Finals
By DPA, Gaea News NetworkMonday, June 8, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers are halfway home in their run for the rings.
Bryant scored 29 points, Spanish-native Pau Gasol had seven of his 24 in the overtime along with 10 rebounds and the Lakers edged the visiting Orlando Magic 101-96 Sunday night to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.
Rashard Lewis had 34 points and 11 rebounds, Turkish-native Hedo Turkoglu had 22 points, while Dwight Howard finished with 17 and 16 boards for Orlando, which bounced back from a 25-point loss in Thursday’s opener but still fell short.
The Magic had a final shot to win in regulation after Turkoglu blocked Bryant’s jumper from behind, and recovered the loose ball.
With sixth-tenths of a second left, Courtney Lee took Turkoglu’s inbound crosscourt lob pass, but the rookie missed a wide-open layup at the buzzer.
Orlando hosts the next three games, beginning Tuesday night as the best-of-seven series, shifts to Amway Arena.
