Hero:
Lakers post player Pau Gasol scored 24 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. He also contributed other ways, with three assists, two steals and numerous key picks.
Zero:
Magic guard Rafer Alston shot 1-for-8 from the field, including four misses from 3-point range.
Chalk talk:
The Magic tried to get Rashard Lewis involved early, making savvy passes and setting picks to get him open looks. The guy had 20 points by halftime.
Kobe time:
With 1:11 left in the game, Lakers star Kobe Bryant bulldozed toward the Magic’s Hedo Turkoglu in the lane and then pulled up, banking a tough jumper to tie the score 86-86.
Scene:
Fans at the Staples Center got louder as Game 2 moved along — notably with 4:13 left and the score tied 79-79, when the Lakers were called for a questionable foul and the booing climaxed. As usual, celebrities were everywhere. They included Sean “Diddy” Combs, Mark Wahlberg, Zac Efron, Rihanna, Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson, left.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
