Bryant, Lakers top Magic

Jan 13, 2007, 6:40 GMT

Los Angeles, CA - Kobe Bryant netted 28 points, had eight rebounds and dished out seven assists, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers past the Orlando Magic, 109-106, at the Staples Center.

Smush Parker poured in a career-high 26 points for the Lakers, who ended a two-game slide. Luke Walton chipped in with 12 points in the victory.

Dwight Howard had 25 points and 10 boards for the Magic, who were looking to win their sixth straight game. Grant Hill had 20 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 18 in the loss.

With the game knotted at 103-103, Bryant drove into the lane and drilled a running jumper to put the Lakers in front with 1:40 remaining. Howard answered for Orlando at the other end and his layup inside evened the score at 105-105.

Bryant then drilled a deep jumper off the left wing to put Los Angeles back in front with about a minute to play. Howard was then fouled inside and missed both shots from the charity stripe.

Orlando then fouled Bryant with 20 ticks left and he sank both free throws to make it 109-105.

Howard then made just 1-of-2 from the line and as his second shot missed, Hill grabbed the rebound, but had the ball swiped by Parker, who missed two free throws giving the ball back to the Magic after Hill ripped down the board.

With time winding down though, Jameer Nelson's long shot from beyond the arc missed wide as time expired.

The Lakers went into halftime with a 55-53 edge led by Parker's 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field.

Despite trailing by two points at the break, Howard was a force in the first half for Orlando with 14 points.

Game Notes

The Lakers have defeated the Magic in five straight meetings.

Orlando has lost 10 straight against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

The Magic shot 50.7 percent from the field while LA shot 49.4 percent for the game.

© 2007 The Sports Network