Lakers hang on for 101-96 win in Game 2

Lakers hang on for 101-96 win in Game 2

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Lucky to have a second chance, the Los Angeles Lakers grabbed it.

Kobe Bryant(notes) and Co. held on and are in control of the NBA finals—just barely.

Orlando rookie Courtney Lee(notes) missed a potential winning layup as regulation ended, giving Los Angeles another shot. Pau Gasol(notes) scored seven points in overtime as the Lakers, so dominant in the series opener, survived with a 101-96 win over the Magic in Game 2 on Sunday night.

If Orlando doesn’t come back and win a game in the series, Lee’s miss may go down as one of the biggest gaffes in finals history.

He had a chance to give the Magic its first finals win, but misfired.

“We blew a lot of assignments tonight—a lot of assignments—and we still managed to get a win,” Bryant said.

Orlando may not get another one better.
Series at a Glance
Orlando vs. LA Lakers
Lakers lead series 1-0

1. Game 1: at LAL

ORL 75, LAL 100 - Final
Recap | Box Score
2. Game 2: at LAL

ORL 96, LAL 101 - Final OT
Recap | Box Score
3. Game 3: at ORL

Tue, Jun 09 - 9:00 pm EDT

TV: ABC, TSN
4. Game 4: at ORL

Thu, Jun 11 - 9:00 pm EDT

TV: ABC, TSN
5. Game 5: at ORL

Sun, Jun 14 - 8:00 pm EDT

TV: ABC, TSN
6. Game 6: at LAL

Tue, Jun 16 - 9:00 pm EDT

TV: ABC, TSN
7. Game 7: at LAL

Thu, Jun 18 - 9:00 pm EDT

TV: ABC, TSN

Series Breakdown

When it was finally over Derek Fisher(notes) and the Lakers jogged to the locker room, smiling and high-fiving fans on the way.

Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu(notes) trudged through the tunnel dejected, a towel hanging from his head.

Bryant scored 29 points, Gasol added 24 and 10 rebounds and Lamar Odom(notes) 19 points for the Lakers, who won Game 1 by 25 but needed 53 minutes to put away the Magic.

Rashard Lewis(notes) scored 34—18 in the second quarter alone—and Dwight Howard(notes) had 17 points and 16 rebounds for the Magic.

Game 3 is Tuesday night at Orlando’s Amway Arena.