Kobe, Gasol spark Lakers past Magic on basketball court

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

ORLANDO, Florida (AFP) — 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 here Friday in a National Basketball Association game.

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...