Half: Lakers 59, Pistons 45

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Kobe Bryant is halfway to a monster game tonight against the hapless Detroit Pistons. He has 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting in the first half. It's uncertain if he will play enough in the second half to reach 40 or more points. He scored almost at will against the undersized Pistons, who lost Rip Hamilton to two technical fouls in the first half and then appeared to lose Tracy McGrady to a sprained ankle. McGrady returned near the end of the half after the Pistons said he might be finished for the night.