Los Angeles Lakers Team Report - March 16

(Basketball News) - Kobe Bryant scored 37 of his 38 points after halftime, including a club-record tying 24 in the fourth quarter, as the Los Angeles Lakers erased a 19-point deficit to beat the Orlando Magic 113-110 in overtime on Monday at the Staples Center.

Bryant sent the Staples Center crowd into a frenzy by scoring the Lakers’ final 15 points in the fourth quarter. Shaquille O’Neal added 27 points and a season-high 22 rebounds for the Lakers, who have won six of their last eight.

Gary Payton scored 12 points and hit the deciding three-pointer in overtime that gave the Lakers a 113-110 lead. Orlando looked for star Tracy McGrady at the other end, but teammate DeShawn Stevenson ended up missing the final attempt.

LA trailed by as many as 19 points in the third quarter, but rode Bryant’s hot hand for a fourth-quarter comeback. The Lakers pulled within 91-86 on a Bryant jumper inside the 8:00 mark, but Orlando went ahead by 10 moments later and still led by double digits with 4:00 left.

Bryant then led the Lakers on a 10-0 run to close out regulation. His fade- away jumper at 2:22 made it a 102-100 game, and a driving layup with 41 seconds left tied it at 102-102.

The Lakers are off until Wednesday when they will be the visitors against the Clippers at the Staples Center. The teams will also play on Friday, as the Lakers will serve as the home team. It will be third contest of the season between the clubs, as each team has picked up a victory in the two previous games.

Bryant has averaged 36.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his last two games, while Payton has scored in double digits in 11 straight contests.