The Orlando Magic failed a home test earlier this week against a Western Conference powerhouse, but they get a chance Friday night to redeem themselves against Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the Los Angeles Lakers; Orlando is a 2-point favorite (213.5) at WagerWeb.com.
The Magic catch a break tonight in that Bryant is nicked up and has struggled in the past two games. On Tuesday against the Nets, in Gasol's Laker debut, Kobe dislocated the pinky finger on his right hand and was limited to six points, the lowest total of his career when he's played at least 30 minutes. With his pinkie swollen on Wednesday, Bryant was ineffective in a loss at Atlanta, shooting 4-of-16 from the field and scoring 11 points. That two-game point total is Bryant's lowest while playing at least 20 minutes in each game since he scored 13 total points from April 3-5, 1998.
"It's getting better every day," Kobe said. "I won't tape it (Friday), but just sort of play hands free. It's better each day. But you put your hand on the ball and it feels like the ball is slipping out of your hand. That's what happens when your pinkie is all the way over here. I've just got to get used to that sensation."
Bryant said it might be best for him and the Lakers to skip the All-Star Game later this month. He is scheduled to participate in the 3-point shooting contest Feb. 16 and to make his 10th consecutive All-Star appearance in the game the next day. "We'll have to see how it goes," he said. "You've got to do the right thing."Gasol helped make up for Bryant's struggles against New Jersey, scoring 24 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, but he struggled as well against the Hawks, shooting 5-of-14 for 12 points as L.A.'s three-game winning streak ended.
Gasol came to the team with a sore back and admits its not fully healed.
"It's a little sore," he said. "I'm working on it. It's something I have to deal with."
The Magic, meanwhile, followed a Monday loss to Dallas with a 100-84 home victory over the Nets on Wednesday for their fifth win in the last six games.
Dwight Howard scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds against the Nets, his 45th double-double of the season.
Los Angeles and Orlando met once this season, Dec. 2 in L.A. The Magic won that one, 104-97, but the Lakers have won five of six and eight of the last 10 meetings. They have also won two straight and three of their last four at Orlando. Bryant has averaged 31.8 points in his last four trips to Orlando.
There will be a change in Orlando's starting lineup as Jameer Nelson will be back at point guard after not starting the previous 10 games because of injury and ineffectiveness.
"We'll go back to him," Coach Stan Van Gundy said.
Look for a big game from Orlando's Rashard Lewis, who is averaging 23.5 points and shooting 44.0 percent from 3-point range in his last 11 games against Los Angeles (of course, all but one of those games was when Lewis was a Sonic). Lewis had a team-high 18 points in Orlando's earlier win at Staples Center.
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