Lakers at Magic
THE STORY: For once, Kobe Bryant will not be the center of attention when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the host Orlando Magic on Friday. The game will focus on centers Andrew Bynum and Dwight Howard, who could be switching places before the March 15 trade deadline. Pau Gasol scored a season-high 26 points and Kobe Bryant 24, but the Lakers fell 98-87 at Miami on Thursday and to 1-5 on the road. The Lakers struggled through most of the game and could not take advantage of a Miami team with an ill LeBron James (31 points) and missing Dwyane Wade. Bynum had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Derek Fisher and Matt Barnes were only 2 of 11 for a combined five points. The Magic are coming off an 85-83 overtime loss Wednesday to San Antonio, snapping their five-game winning streak. It was the Magic's third game in three days.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN3.com
ABOUT THE LAKERS (10-6): Bryant had scored 40 or more points in four consecutive games, but has cooled considerably and is only 15 of 43 in his last two games. He was 1 for 8 in the first half against Miami. Bryant played 41 minutes in a game the Lakers trailed 77-56 entering the fourth quarter and surpassed Bill Russell (40,726) for 21st on the league's all-time minutes played list. Michael Jordan (41,011) is next at No. 20.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (10-4): Whether Bynum eventually joins the Magic or not, opinion on the 24-year-old varies. Shaquille O’Neal told the Los Angeles Times, “He's the best big man in the game right now. He's the only big man in the league that's playing like a true big man.” Others don’t agree. “I don't see him as being a guy that carries a team,” ESPN analyst Jon Barry said. “He's not a franchise player. Dwight Howard is a franchise player."
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando has lost eight of the last 13 meetings against the Lakers at home.
2. This is the first road back-to-back for the Lakers this season. They were 7-5 in back-to-back road games last season.
3. The Lakers shot 31 percent in the first half against Miami for 37 points, their lowest output for any half this season.