The Los Angeles Lakers conclude their brief Florida road trip on Friday night as they battle Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. The Lakers have lost their last three regular season trips to Orlando, and are 1-5 on the road this season.
Friday night doesn't figure to be Andrew Bynum's last game in Orlando this season, as the Lakers' center has a gigantic lead among Western Conference centers in the latest round of All-Star balloting. Bynum is averaging 16.3 points and 13.8 rebounds per game this season, and had 15 points and 12 rebounds Thursday night in Miami.
Howard is coming off a 24-point, 25-rebound effort on Wednesday in a loss against San Antonio, the fourth 20-20 game for Howard this season. He is eight days removes from setting a new NBA regular season record with 39 free throw attempts in a 45-point, 23-rebound effort against Golden State.
Notes
After scoring 40 or more points in four consecutive games, Kobe Bryant has scored 38 total points in his last two games, shooting 34.9% from the field. Pau Gasol attempted a career-high four three-pointers on Thursday in Miami, making one. Metta World Peace made two of 27 three-pointers this season before Thursday's game against the Heat, when World Peace made two of four shots from distance.
Friday night's 5 p.m. PST game will be televised by ESPN and KCAL. For more news and information about the Lakers, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.