Lakers Crush Magic in NBA Finals Opener

(AP) - Orlando finally regained its Magic touch. Making easy shots and tough ones from everywhere, the Magic won their first game in two visits to the NBA finals as Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis scored 21 points apiece in a 108-104 victory over Los Angeles. The Lakers still lead the series, 2-1, and Game 4 is Thursday night. More»

Prez: 'I haven't seen anybody match up with Michael'

(NEWSER) - President and Basketballer-in-Chief Obama wasn’t coy when asked whether he preferred Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan: “Oh, Michael,” he told the AP. “I mean, Kobe’s terrific. Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “But I haven’t seen anybody match up with Michael.” Jordan, of course, played for Obama’s hometown Bulls—though Obama says he’s “no Lakers hater,” and indeed predicted Los Angeles’ victory over Orlando in the NBA finals. More»

(NEWSER) - The Lakers captured their 15th NBA title tonight in Orlando, polishing off the Magic with a 99-86 victory that gave coach Phil Jackson his record 10th title, the Los Angeles Times reports. Last season's runners-up, the Lakers saw five players score in double figures, led by Finals MVP Kobe Bryant (30 points), who collected his fourth championship and first without Shaquille O'Neal. More»

Lakers gain 2-0 lead in finals

(NEWSER) - The Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 101-96 in Los Angeles yesterday, taking a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals. Orlando flubbed a last-second shot at a fourth-quarter win, then let the Lakers dominate overtime with a 7-0 run, the Los Angeles Times reports. Kobe Bryant nailed just 29 points, 11 fewer than in Game 1. The Lakers' Pau Gasol contributed 24 points, and Lamar Odom 19. More»

(NEWSER) - Kobe Bryant has logged a lot of miles on his 30-year-old legs, which might just add a dollop of extra pressure as the NBA finals start tonight, writes Mike Bresnahan in the Los Angeles Times. It's finally legit to ask, how many more chances will he get? Since turning pro at age 17, Bryant has played 1,118 games—that's 340 more than Michael Jordan at the same age. “The window for Bryant's career is only a handful of years from sliding shut,” says Bresnahan. More»