Half: Lakers 62, Knicks 48

NEW YORK -- Kobe Bryant seemed bound and determined to present Phil Jackson with a victory tonight in his last visit to Madison Square Garden as coach of the Lakers. Bryant scored 19 points in the first quarter before finishing the half with 23 points, eight rebounds and two assists. The New York Knicks had no response. The Lakers trailed early, but led by as many as 17 points in the final minutes before halftime. Two seasons ago, Bryant set a Garden record with 61 points in a Lakers victory. He seemed headed that direction again after making seven of his first nine shots.