Hot shooting fueled the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half Thursday night, as they too a 56-52 lead over the Portland Trail Blazers at halftime at the Rose Garden. The Lakers, who have lost 16 of their last 20 regular season games in Portland, shot 61.5% (24 for 39) in the opening 24 minutes.
Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 17 points, making eight of his 11 field goal attempts, and dished out two assists in the first half. Andrew Bynum continued his stellar play of late, scoring 14 points and grabbing four rebounds in 18 minutes. Bynum made all seven of his field goal attempts in the opening half.
The five Lakers' starters combined to make 22 of 29 shots from the field (75.9%) in the first half.
Gerald Wallace scored 17 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 15 for the Blazers, who shot 43.8% (21 for 48) in the first half. Neither team shot particularly well from distance in the opening half, as Portland made two of six three-point attempts while the Lakers missed all four of theirs.
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