Lakers lead series 2-0 with overtime victory

06-09-2009 | AFP

The Lakers won the first game 100-75 but the Magic made them work

Panama Star LOS ANGELES. – Kobe Bryant had 29 points and eight assists and Pau Gasol scored 24 points as the Los Angeles Lakers clawed their way to a 101-96 overtime win over Orlando in game two of the National Basketball Association Finals.

Lamar Odom added 19 points for the Lakers, who used a balanced attack on Sunday to seize a two games to none lead in the best-of-seven championship series.

The Lakers won the first game 100-75 but the Magic made them work for the victory in game two on in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,997 at the Staples Center arena.

Game two started out as a defensive struggle as the two teams combined for just 30 points in the first quarter before battling down the stretch, exchanging base line drives, three-point daggers and crucial field goals.

"It was like a couple of heavyweight boxers that have gone against each other before," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They're just feeling each other out in the first round, second round, third round. "Kind of looking for holes and the changes in the game. We stayed in the ball game because they turned the ball over and we had opportunities because of it."

Game three is Tuesday in Orlando. Rashard Lewis scored 18 of his game-high 34 points in the second quarter.