Bryant scores 40 as Lakers blitz Magic
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers put on a dazzling display at both ends of the floor to crushed the Orlando Magic 100-75 in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and had eight assists and eight rebounds to lift the Lakers, seeking their first title since 2002 when they had Shaquille O'Neal safeguarding the paint.
Los Angeles limited All-Star center Dwight Howard to 12 points, on just one of six shooting. Howard entered the game averaging 21.7 points in the postseason and is seen as the key to the Magic's hopes of winning their first championship.
Orlando succumbed to the Lakers' pressure defense, shooting just 29.9 percent from the floor, including eight of 23 from beyond the arc.
Game two of the best-of-seven series is Sunday in Los Angeles.
(Writing by Steve Ginsburg; Editing by N.Ananthanarayanan)
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