Half: Lakers 58, Wolves 52

Ho-hum, the Lakers held a modest lead by halftime tonight. Kobe Bryant scored 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting, and there was no way the Minnesota Timberwolves had anyone capable of stopping him. He seemed destined for a big night when he scored 11 in the first quarter. Bryant scored the Lakers' final eight points of the first half, helping them to a six-point lead. The Lakers had their hands full with the Timberwolves, however. Kevin Love, the former UCLA standout, had 12 points and 11 rebounds in the first half.