Lakers routs Orlando Magic in NBA finals opener

LOS ANGELES, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic 100-75 in Game 1 of the NBA finals on Thursday at Los Angeles Staples Center, with Kobe Bryant catching the spotlight.

Bryant scored a career finals-record 40 points, 36 over the first three quarters, while Pau Gasol added 16, putting the Lakers at a 9-5 record in the finals.

Mickael Pietrus led Orlando with 14, while Hedo Turkoglu added 13 and Dwight Howard 12, missing five of six shots.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be played Sunday at Staples Center.

The Lakers made 41 of 89 shots, 46.1 percent, while the Magic made 23 of 77, 29.9 percent.

After trailing 24-22 at the end of the first quarter and trailing by five points three times in the second quarter, Los Angeles took control of the game by scoring 10 consecutive points over a three minute, four second span midway through the second quarter, taking a 38-33 lead 5:22 before halftime. The streak began with Luke Walton making back-to-back baskets, with Bryant scoring the final six points.

An 8-2 run late in the half gave the Lakers a 51-41 lead. They led 53-43 at the end of the first half, with Bryant scoring 18 points.

Los Angeles ended all doubt about the game's outcome in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic, 29-15, with Bryant scoring 18 points, making six of 11 shots and all six of his free throws.

Orlando pulled with nine, 59-50, on Courtney Lee's 3-point basket with 8:20 left in the quarter, but the Lakers scored the next nine points. After Rafer Alston ended that streak by making two free throws, Bryant scored the next seven points, putting the Lakers ahead, 75-52. Bryant's previous finals high was 36.

The customary capacity crowd of 18,997 included actors Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, California first lady Maria Shriver, legendary tennis champion Billie Jean King and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

Teams that have won the opening game of a best-of-seven series have won the series 308 of 392 times, 78.6 percent.

Bryant scores 40 as Lakers blitz Magic

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots over the defense of Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick (7) during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) fights to keep possession against Orlando Magic's Rafer Alston (1) during the second half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) fight for a rebound during the first half of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Lakers produced a dazzling display at both ends of the floor to crush the Orlando Magic 100-75 in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and had eight assists and eight rebounds to lift the Lakers, seeking their first title since 2002 when they had Shaquille O'Neal safeguarding the paint.

Bryant, the 2008 league MVP, scored 18 points in the third quarter when the Lakers expanded a 10-point halftime lead to 82-58 with a quarter to play.

The 30-year-old, 11 times All-Star guard connected on 16 of 34 shots while scoring his career high in the NBA Finals.

"I told these guys it doesn't matter whether we win by 60 or six in this game," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "It's just one win. We've got to try to go out and establish that again on our home court on Sunday."

Los Angeles shot 46 percent from the floor but it was their suffocating defense that was responsible for the dominating win.

SUPERMAN STIFLED

The Lakers limited All-Star center Dwight Howard to 12 points, on just one of six shooting.

Howard, who was double and triple-teamed at every opportunity, entered the game averaging 21.7 points in the post-season.

"Things just didn't go right for them tonight," said Jackson. "They didn't get things in rhythm and they didn't get things in the paint that they normally get, and those situations change the complexity of the game.

"The first half was nip and tuck right up until the end of the second quarter. We were able to come out and play with a different type of an attitude the second half."

The Magic stopped LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals by consistently hitting outside shot but their bombers were silenced by the Lakers' pressure defense.

Orlando shot just 29.9 percent from the floor, including eight of 23 from beyond the arc, and were outrebounded 55-41.

NBA fines MVP James for skipping news conference

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- NBA commissioner David Stern handed the MVP and Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James 25,000-U.S.-dollar fine on Thursday after he failed to attend a news conference.

James skipped the postgame news conference after his team lost to Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals.

The league first said James wouldn't be penalized, citing his usual cooperation with the press. Stern said he later found it inappropriate.

James was just released from the hospital Wednesday after he had a five-hour surgery to remove a benign growth new his jaw.

Yao Ming to headline for Basketball without Borders Asia

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- NBA All-Star Yao Ming will headline Basketball without Borders Asia 2009, which will feature over 30 the National Basketball Association (NBA) players and coaches as it opens on July 30 in Beijing. It was announced on Friday by NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Basketball without Borders (BWB) is NBA and FIBA's global basketball development program that uses the sport to create positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness, according to a news release issued by NBA and FIBA.

"Basketball without Borders helps us to grow the game of basketball and bring attention to important social issues that affect communities around the world," said Kathleen Behrens, NBA Executive Vice President, Social Responsibility and Player Programs.

"We know that by teaching the values of the game -- teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work, and healthy living our current and former players and coaches can also make a lasting impact on communities in need," Behrens added.

The top youth players 19 and under from across Asia, as selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations, will train under NBA players and coaches and compete against their peers.

BWB 2009 will be held in Beijing from July 30 to August 2, followed by Mexico City, Mexico, August 6 to 9, then by Johannesburg, South Africa September 2 to 6.

Former NBA All-Star guard Randy Smith dies at 60

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Former All-Star guard Randy Smith died, aged 60, from a heart attack, the Los Angeles Clippers said on Friday on its website.

Smith was working out on a treadmill when he apparently had this heart attack.

A good shooter and superb jumper, he played seven seasons in the 1970s for the Buffalo Braves, the initial incarnation of the Clippers franchise.

Widely regarded as the league's fastest player while in his prime, Smith set an NBA record by playing in 906 consecutive games from 1972-83.

A highlight of his career was the 1978 NBA All-Star Game where he was named the Most Valuable Player after coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 27 points.

Smith went on to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks before retiring in 1983 with a career record of 16,262 points at 16.7 per game.

NBA All-Star game coming to Los Angeles in 2011

LOS ANGELES, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The National Basketball Association All-Star game will be played at Los Angeles Staples Center in 2011, it was reported Saturday night.

NBA Commissioner David Stern is expected to make the formal announcement Sunday afternoon before the Los Angeles Lakers-Orlando Magic game at Staples Center, the Los Angeles Times reported.

AEG President Tim Leiweke and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa are expected to be present.

The game was last played in Los Angeles in 2004.

The 58th All-Star game was played in Phoenix this year, and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal shared most-valuable-player honors. The game will be played in Dallas next year at the Cowboys' new stadium.

O'Neal was the game's MVP when it was held in Los Angeles in 2004. He had 24 points in 24 minutes as the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 136-132.

Los Angeles to host 2011 NBA All-Star game

LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2011 NBA All-Star game will be played at Los Angeles Staples Center, bringing an estimated 100 million dollars in revenue to the city, it was announced on Sunday.

National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern made the official announcement this afternoon at the stadium, shortly before game 2 of the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic.

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, and will be preceded by the

Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam Feb. 18, and the Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest Feb. 19.

The festivities are expected to generate an economic impact of 100 million dollars for the city, according to the Mayor's Office.

"There is no better place to host the action and drama of the NBA All-Star Game than on the stage of so many award winning performances," said

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was also at the announcement.

"On behalf of the city Los Angeles, we look forward to welcoming NBA fans and players from across the country and around the globe to the entertainment capital of the world," he said.

NBA All-Star Jam Session, an interactive basketball celebration, will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center with additional events and programming set to take place across the street from Staples Center within the new L.A. Live sports, residential and entertainment district.

The 2011 All-Star Game will be the fifth played in the Los Angeles area. The 1963 game was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, the 1972 and 1983 games at the Forum in Inglewood and the 2004 game at Staples Center.

The 2010 game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In the 2004 game, the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant combined for 44 points as the West edged the East 136-132. O'Neal earned MVP honors with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

In the 1972 game, Lakers' star Jerry West made the winning shot, a last- second jumper that gave the West a 112-110 victory and netted him MVP honors.