NBA suspends Magic's Turkoglu for positive steroid test

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu was suspended 20 games by the NBA on Wednesday after testing positive for steroids.

The NBA said Turkoglu tested positive for methenolone, an anabolic steroid. He began serving the suspension Wednesday night when the Magic hosted the Atlanta Hawks.

Turkoglu took full responsibility for the positive test and apologized to the Magic organization, fans and fellow teammates. He said he took medication from a trainer in Turkey this past summer to help him recover from a shoulder injury and mistakenly neglected to check it against the NBA's list of banned substances.

"As a player this is the worst situation that you want to be in," Turkoglu said. "I'm just sorry to put the organization in this situation. ... I should have double-checked and researched and shouldn't be in this situation."

He is the eighth player suspended for performance-enhancing drugs under the NBA's drug testing policy. He is the second Magic player to be suspended under the policy in four years. Former Magic forward Rashard Lewis was suspended 10 games in 2009 after testing positive for an elevated testosterone level.

Turkoglu said he was tested by the league in December and learned of the suspension Tuesday night. General manager Rob Hennigan said Turkoglu informed the team of the positive test a week ago.

Turkoglu sat out the Magic's past three games for what the team said were flu-like symptoms and a sore back. Hennigan said those ailments were legitimate and unrelated to the positive test.

It is the latest in a string of bad news for Turkoglu during the past year.

He missed 10 games at the end of last year's regular season for a fractured bone above his eye and then missed 28 straight games at the start of this season after breaking a bone in his hand. He's appeared in just 11 games in 2012-13 with only one start. Turkoglu is in the third year of his second stint with the Magic. He is averaging 2.9 points, 2.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds, all down from his career numbers over the previous 12 seasons.

"It's been really nightmare," Turkoglu said. "It wasn't a really good year for me. Now I'm facing this. As a player, you face a lot of injuries. It just comes and goes. But this kind of situation, you don't want to put yourself in. This is the worst one I'm dealing with now."

Hennigan said he doesn't believe there are any issues with the NBA's drug testing policy or the culture of the team in light of Lewis' previous test.

"Clearly we need to continue to educate our players on what's safe to take and what not to take," he said. "We'll move forward. We don't support the decision he made, but we support Hedo."

After seeing his rotation disrupted throughout the season because of injuries, Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said there is no choice but to move on.

"There's a great thing called reality and you have to accept it," Vaughn said. "Today was an unfortunate reality and you accept it and move forward."

Turkoglu is making about $11.8 million this season. He has one more year remaining on his current deal, but it is only partially guaranteed. He was picked as the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2008 while with Orlando.

The Magic came into Wednesday night's game with a 15-36 record in their first season of rebuilding following the departure of All-Star center Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers this past offseason.

Asked about Turkoglu's future, Hennigan said it is yet to be determined.

"I think we're going to get through this step. We'll worry about the summer when the summer comes," Hennigan said. "Contracts are what they are. We have to make decisions about a lot of different things in the summer and certainly the Hedo situation will be one of them. But we're not able to comment now on what the decision will be."

Turkoglu said he is focused on serving his suspension.

"I've had my best years in Orlando and I've tried to play as much as I can here. Certain situations are out of my hands," he said. "So like Rob said, we'll wait for the summer to come and we'll see what happens. Right now I want to deal with this and get it over as quick as I can."

For the original post visit: http://www.nba.com/2013/news/02/13/magic-turkoglu-suspended/index.html

Dwight Howard trade: Lakers show more commitment to winning

The moment he hung up the phone Thursday, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak stared across the room at Coach Mike Brown.

Kupchak had just ended a conference call with officials of the Orlando Magic, Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers, the final chapter of what Kupchak described as a "frustrating" process in pursuing Dwight Howard.

After all, the Magic spent over a year weighing every trade proposal imaginable, while Howard gave mixed signals on his intentions. Once that phone conversation ended, though, Howard became a Laker. Kupchak recalled the conversation with Brown:

"We have a deal," Kupchak said.

"Who are we getting?" Brown asked.

"Dwight Howard," Kupchak answered.

"Who's going out?" Brown asked.

"Andrew," Kupchak answered, referring to center Andrew Bynum, who will now play with the 76ers.

"That's all?" Brown asked.

"That's all," said Kupchak, though the trade also involved sending reserve forwards Josh McRoberts and Christian Eyenga and protected first-round and second-round picks to Orlando for forward Earl Clark and guard Chris Duhon.

Brown still struggled processing the news.

"No Pau?" Brown asked, in reference to Lakers forward Pau Gasol. After all, reports first indicated these talks would also include Gasol going to the Magic, and he had been the subject of endless trade speculation ever since the NBA nixed the Chris Paul deal, which would've sent Gasol to the Houston Rockets.

"No Pau," Kupchak said.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-la-dwight-howard-trade-lakers-value-winning-over-money-20120811,0,5648693.story

Celtics G Rondo misses game with back injury

Image Source: NBA.com

BOSTON (AP) -- The Celtics are playing without Rajon Rondo after he hurt his back in Boston's game against New York the previous night.

Rondo was injured when he fell hard to the floor in the third quarter of the 118-110 loss to the Knicks on Tuesday night. He finished the game and had 13 assists, extending his streak of games with at least 10 to 23. Coach Doc Rivers said Rondo probably would miss Friday night's game at Atlanta.

The Celtics also faced the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night without guard Ray Allen, who missed his sixth straight game with an injured right ankle, and swingman Mickael Pietrus, who felt pain in his knee.

For the Magic, Dwight Howard was sidelined for the sixth consecutive game with a herniated disc.

Source: http://www.nba.com/2012/news/04/18/celtics-rondo-out.ap/index.html

Tonight in the NBA: Heat at Celtics

Tonight in the NBA: Heat at Celtics

The Sixers will travel to Miami on Tuesday to face the Heat.

Here's a look at the action today around the NBA:

Heat at Celtics, 3:30 p.m. 

The Miami Heat will try to avoid an eighth consecutive regular-season road loss to the Celtics when they travel to Boston Sunday.

Ray Allen has missed the last five games with a sore right ankle and may be out again Sunday.

Even in his absence, Boston has climbed to the top of the Atlantic behind Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

Pierce has averaged 22.3 points during the Celtics' 6-1 run.

Garnett, 35, has recorded 23.7 per game on 59.3 percent shooting over the last three games.

"I hear you all calling me old. I hear you all calling me ... weathered," Garnett told the team's official website. "I'm motivated. It doesn't really take much to motivate me, man. I'm older in basketball years, but in life I'm 30-something."

Miami defeated Toronto, 113-101, on Friday for just its third win in its last nine on the road.

Nuggets at Magic, 6 p.m. 

The Orlando Magic will try to avoid a third straight loss Sunday against the visiting Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets are looking for their first back-to-back victories in nearly a month.

The Magic are third in the Eastern Conference and six games behind Miami in the Southeast Division race.

Orlando has not lost three in a row since a season-worst four-game skid from Jan. 26-30.

The Magic, however, are 20-3 at home versus Denver.

Denver is coming off a 99-88 victory over league-worst Charlotte on Friday.

The Nuggets have lost 17 of their last 18 road games against Orlando.

Wizards at Raptors, 6 p.m. 

The Washington Wizards look to avoid a fifth consecutive road loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

The Wizards are also looking to post back-to-back victories for just the second time this season.

Washington upset the Sixers, 97-76, on Friday after losing five in a row.

The Wizards hope to carry over the momentum against the Raptors.

"Maybe this is a game we need to have that ice broken," said coach Randy Wittman. "That was spectacular by our guys."

Washington has taken two of three from Toronto this season.

The Raptors have lost six of the last eight. They are coming off a 113-101 loss to Miami on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-sixers/sixers-talk/Tonight-in-the-NBA-Heat-at-Celtics?blockID=680914&feedID=694

NBA: Nowitzki drains jumper to edge Mavs past Magic

Dirk Nowitzki banked in a jumper with 5.9 seconds left and scored a game-high 28 points to lead the Dallas Mavericks past the Orlando Magic 100-98 on Friday night.

Jameer Nelson scored 24 points to lead the Magic. Ryan Anderson added 21, while Dwight Howard finished with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

The Mavericks trailed by 15 points in the third quarter before rallying in the final period, aided by a plethora of turnovers by the Magic. Jason Terry had 10 points in the quarter and 17 in the game. Delonte West and Shawn Marion each added 15.

Orlando had 16 turnovers, which led to 20 points for the Mavericks. The Magic lost to Dallas for the sixth straight time at home.

HEAT 113, RAPTORS 101 
In Toronto, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scored 30 points each as the Miami Heat beat Toronto, marking their seventh straight win over the Raptors.

Wade scored a game high 30 points, but said he played with a "heavy heart" after learning his adult nephew had been one of six men shot during a shooting spree in Chicago’s South side on Thursday.

LeBron James had 26 points and nine assists, while Mario Chalmers added 14 points as the Heat won for the second time in two nights after beating Dallas at home on Thursday.

DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points and Andrea Bargnani had 27 for Toronto. Amir Johnson had 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Jose Calderon had 16 assists, one shy of his season high, but the Raptors lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Miami came in having lost six of eight away from home, but improved to 16-11 away from American Airlines Arena.

CLIPPERS 98, TRAIL BLAZERS 97 
In Los Angeles, Chris Paul made a driving layup with 5 seconds to go, lifting Los Angeles past Portland for their season high-tying fourth straight victory.

The Clippers trailed by two when Paul got the ball to Randy Foye, who hit a three-pointer with 47 seconds left to put the Clippers ahead 96-95. Jamal Crawford responded with a 22-footer and Portland led by one with 13 seconds left.

Paul dribbled around before driving to the basket for the winner. Wesley Matthews missed a jumper in the waning seconds for the visitors.

Paul, Blake Griffin and Randy Foye led six Clippers in double figures with 20 points each.

J.J. Hickson led the Blazers with a season-high 29 points and 13 rebounds.

WIZARDS 97, 76ERS 76 
In Washington, Cartier Martin tied a career-high with 20 points in his second game under a 10-day contract, as Washington built a big lead and held on to it for a change, breaking a five-game losing streak.

The loss knocked Philadelphia out of first place in the Atlantic Division, putting them one game behind Boston. The 76ers began the day tied with the Celtics, who beat Minnesota.

The Wizards had blown double-digit leads in their past three home games, but this time they did not let up.

Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young scored 14 apiece for the 76ers, who have lost six of nine.

CELTICS 100, TIMBERWOLVES 79
In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kevin Garnett had 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in his return to Target Center as Boston outmuscled Kevin Love and Minnesota.

Paul Pierce had 21 points and nine rebounds, while Rajon Rondo had 17 assists for the Celtics, who have won four in a row and six of their past seven.

Love had 22 points and 11 rebounds, but succumbed to Garnett’s physical defense in a battle between the face of the Timberwolves past and present.

Luke Ridnour had 15 points and eight assists, but the Wolves turned the ball over 21 times to see their playoff hopes take a hit. They entered two-and-a-half games out of the eighth spot in the West.

In other games, it was:

‧ Bucks 121, Cavaliers 84

‧ Nuggets 99, Bobcats 88

‧ Rockets 98, Grizzlies 89

‧ Bulls 83, Pistons 71

‧ Kings 104, Jazz 103

‧ Nets 102, Warriors 100

Source: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2012/04/01/2003529221/1

NBA Power Rankings: Carmelo Anthony has Knicks rebounding up list

Carmelo Anthony must be loving this.

Amar'e Stoudemire isn't around to challenge for shots because he's got a bulging disk in his back and is out for perhaps the final 15 games of the regular-season. Jeremy Lin has been on the shelf, taking care of an injured knee.

The Knicks now are 'Melo's team, and at least for the time being, they're in great shape. By going 8-1 under Mike Woodson and with everything being centered around Anthony in recent games, they've rocketed back up the charts in our weekly rankings. They were 20th two weeks ago, but now they're a solid No. 11.

The Heat, meanwhile, has had some slippage, even with their big home win over Dallas on Thursday. Miami has slipped from No. 2 to No. 4.

Here's how we see the NBA, from top to bottom:

1. Chicago Bulls (Last Week: 1) We know they've been rolling merrily along without Derrick Rose, but we're hoping he can play in Sunday's showdown against Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, the one and only time these two powerhouses meet in the regular-season.

2. Oklahoma City (Last Week: 3) The Thunder started off a key stretch of statement games, against the Lakers, Bulls and Heat, with a solid win over Kobe Bryant and L.A. on the road.

3. San Antonio Spurs (Last Week: 4) The Spurs have had Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker all take the court in the same game for only 17 games this season, but they're 13-4 in those contests.

4. Miami Heat (Last Week: 2) Things have been falling apart since the All-Star Game, with the Heat going only 9-6 and talk that the Big Three is not happy with Erik Spoelstra's offense. Sounds like they're bored with the regular-season.

5. Orlando Magic (Last Week: 5) From what we saw in the Garden with the Magic's disgraceful lack of effort, Dwight Howard will be making a coaching change at season's end and Stan Van Gundy will be looking for a new job.

6. Los Angeles Lakers (Last Week: 6) When the Lakers couldn't stay with the Thunder, and lost their third recent game on their home floor, the West officially became a two-team race between Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (Last Week: 7 ) As they embark on a three-game swing over next four days vs. Houston, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, Grizzlies are 4-4 in road games in March, including a win over the Lakers in L.A.

8. L.A. Clippers (Last Week: 9) Despite the Clips losing 12 of 19 games, owner Donald Sterling says he's fine with coach Vinny Del Negro. But let's not forget: Del Negro is on the final year of his contract

9. Indiana Pacers (Last Week: 8) When the Pacers pounded the Heat this week by 15 points, it was their first big victory since winning in Dallas on Feb. 3. Then they went out and lost to the Nets, which kind of took the luster right off that win over Miami.

10. Atlanta Hawks (Last Week: 11) The Hawks welcomed Knicks coach Mike Woodson back Friday night in his first game since he was sent packing by Atlanta after the 2009-10 season.

11. The Knicks (Last Week: 20) If Mike D'Antoni had stepped down earlier, they might be leading the Atlantic Division by now, instead of still being in a fight to move out of the No. 8 spot in the East.

12. Boston Celtics (Last Week: 12) Sunday's game vs. the Heat kicks off a brutal seven-game stretch over 11 days, with other matchups vs. San Antonio, at Chicago, at Indiana, Philly, at Miami and Atlanta. There's not an easy game in the bunch for Doc Rivers' team.

13. Philadelphia (Last Week: 10) It can't be good for Doug Collins that Andre Iguodala has been KO'd by tendinitis in his left knee.

14. Dallas Mavericks (Last Week: 14) They scored only 32 points after halftime in their blowout loss Thursday to Miami, but Delonte West is back and soon they're going to have Brendan Haywood back in the middle.

15. Utah Jazz (Last Week: 17) The Jazz has been on a mini-run, winning 8 of 10 and still with a shot to finish as high as fourth in the West, incredibly enough.

16. Houston Rockets (Last Week: 16) The Rockets are hanging tough despite not having their starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin over the last two weeks due injuries and illness.

17. Denver Nuggets (Last Week: 13) They didn't exactly build off their surprisingly easy win in Chicago by losing up in Toronto. But they're still 13-2 against the East, with their only other loss by a point to Cleveland.

18. Phoenix Suns (Last Week: 19) The Suns have been one of the hottest teams in the Western Conference in March, winning 11 of 17. Now the bad news: Four of their losses were to the NBA's top teams.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week: 15) Including their loss at Memphis _ their 10th in their last 11 games vs. the Grizzlies _ thee Timberwolves ended a stretch of 19 straight games against Western Conference teams with an 8-11 record.

20. Portland Trailblazers (Last Week: 21) As long as long-time owner Paul Allen puts business over basketball, it's going to be tough to get this thing turned around.

21. Milwaukee Bucks (Last Week: 18) The Bucks have only two wins since Feb. 1 against teams with winning records (the Sixers and Hawks). For the season, they're just 6-18 against teams that are .500 or better, which means that even if they make the playoffs, they're going nowhere.

22. Golden State Warriors (Last Week: 22) Old Warrior coach Don Nelson has made the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. So celebrate the way Nellie will: Pop a beer and light up a cigar.

23. Toronto Raptors (Last Week: 26) Dwane Casey's team has had two big wins lately, against the Knicks and Nuggets. But they'll really start to turn heads if they can upend the Heat Friday night in Toronto.

24. Detroit Pistons (Last Week: 23) The Pistons broke a five-game losing streak, but this is a rebuilding team that should tank the rest of the way to help improve their chances of landing a top pick in the draft lottery.

25. The Nets (Last Week: 25) During a recent home loss to his old team, the Jazz, Deron Williams heard a fan yell that Dirk Nowitzki was waiting for his arrival in Dallas. Which is the one thing Williams still has going for him.

26. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last Week: 24) Losers of five straight games, they should keep losing and make sure they come away from the season with some good draft picks to help rookie phenom Kyrie Irving.

27. Sacramento Kings (Last Week: 27) Time to shore up the D, fellas: The Kings can't stop anybody, giving up 109 ppg in their last nine games.

28. New Orleans (Last Week: 28) Eric Gordon _ remember him, the one-time Clipper who was the key to the Chris Paul deal? _ expects to finally return off knee surgery in the coming days. He hasn't played since Jan. 4. 29. Washington Wizards (Last Week: 29) The Wizards started cleaning house at the trading deadline, getting rid of two of their headaches, by sending off JaVale McGee and Nick Young. But the next major changes have to come off the court, in the front office.

30. Charlotte Hornets (Last Week: 30) Michael Jordan recently told his GM, Rich Cho, to follow the Oklahoma City model for building a winner. Sounds like a plan, but the trick is going to be to find the next Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nba-power-rankings-carmelo-anthony-knicks-rebounding-list-article-1.1053400

NBA: Raging Bulls top Hawks on road

Chicago’s Luol Deng led a flurry of three-pointers to help the NBA-leading Bulls blow out the Atlanta Hawks 98-77 on Wednesday for another road victory.

Deng was five of eight from beyond the arc and the Bulls finished nine of 16 to improve to their NBA-best record away from home to 21-6 and their overall mark to 41-11, even though Derrick Rose was missing for the eighth straight game with a shoulder injury. The Bulls have not missed a beat, winning six times without their most valuable player. Deng finished with 22 points and had plenty of help, with Carlos Boozer scoring 20.

Josh Smith led Atlanta with 19 points.

KNICKS 108, MAGIC 86 
In New York, the hosts climbed above .500 for the first time since mid-January by convincingly beating Orlando, despite having both Jeremy Lin and Amar’e Stoudemire sitting out with injuries

The Knicks scored 21 straight points in the third quarter to set up their eighth win in nine games.

Carmelo Anthony and Iman Shumpert each scored 25 points for New York, who moved 2.5 games ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and pulled within 2.5 of Philadelphia and Boston for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Jameer Nelson scored 17 points and J.J. Redick had 15 for the Magic, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

CELTICS 94, JAZZ 82 
In Boston, Massachusetts, Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds to lead Boston to their fifth win in six games, downing Utah.

Rajon Rondo had 14 assists for the Celtics, who moved into a tie with Philadelphia atop the Atlantic Division. Former Celtic Al Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz.

CLIPPERS 103, SUNS 86 
In Los Angeles, California, Blake Griffin threw down three dunks in a one minute, 40 second span late in the fourth quarter to power Los Angeles beyond Phoenix.

Griffin had 27 points and 14 rebounds, while Chris Paul had 15 points and 15 assists to help the Clippers move two games behind the Lakers in the Pacific Division. They have won five straight at home.

Marcin Gortat led Phoenix with 23 points and seven rebounds.

SPURS 117, KINGS 112 
In Sacramento, California, San Antonio edged Sacramento to record a sixth straight win.

Manu Ginobili scored 20 points and Kawhi Leonard had 19 for the Spurs, who were playing their fifth game in six nights, but still shot 54 percent and out-rebounded the Kings.

Isaiah Thomas scored a career-high 28 points and had 10 assists for Sacramento.

NETS 100, PACERS 84 In Newark, New Jersey, Deron Williams had 30 points and nine assists for lowly New Jersey, who finished with eight fit players, but still beat Indiana. Rookie MarShon Brooks added 17 points for the Nets, who started with only 10 players available before losing starting center Shelden Williams to an eye injury and backup center Jordan Williams to a concussion in the third.

In other NBA action, it was: ‧
Raptors 105, Nuggets 96 ‧
Pistons 87, Cavaliers 75 ‧
Hornets 102, Warriors 87 ‧
Timberwolves 88, Bobcats 83

Source: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2012/03/30/2003529059

Stan Van Gundy: Kentucky couldn't beat NBA team

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stan Van Gundy said Wednesday the notion that Kentucky could beat an NBA team is "absurd."

The Orlando Magic coach was asked about comments by former Maryland coach Gary Williams, who told a Washington radio station that he thought the Wildcats could beat the NBA's Wizards in one game at Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats, the favorites to win the NCAA championship next week, have multiple players who are expected to be NBA lottery picks. Forward Anthony Davis could be the No. 1 overall pick if he enters the draft.

That's not enough for Van Gundy.

"Look, it's absurd," he said before the Magic faced the New York Knicks. "I mean, people will say, 'Oh, Kentucky you know's got four NBA players.' Yeah, well the other team's got 13."

Van Gundy said the talent level, experience and age of the players would favor the NBA team, even one as bad as the Wizards (11-38).

"Could anything happen on a one-night thing? I mean, I suppose, you have major upsets all the time. So maybe, but it'd be rare and in a series it'd be a joke," Van Gundy said. "It wouldn't be close. That's just the way it is. John Calipari's got a lot of talent, he does not have 13 NBA players. He just doesn't. And even if those guys all are, they're all NBA rookies. I mean, when has that ever been a success in the NBA? So no, they're not going to win."

Source: http://www.nba.com/2012/news/03/28/vangundy-kentucky.ap/index.html

Bynum may be NBA's biggest big man

Others are taller and some weigh more, but is there a bigger big man than Andrew Bynum in the NBA? Bynum, officially listed at 7-foot and 285 pounds, certainly measured up against the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, who's 6-11, 275.

"He's a big guy, man," Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson said of Bynum after the Lakers rallied to defeat the Magic 97-84 on Monday night at Staples Center for their 10th victory in 11 games since the All-Star break.

"He's a handful," Nelson continued. "It's like he's out there and you think you've got the ball, and he has it in his hands. You're jumping for the ball, but he's just standing there tipping it to himself to get those extra shots."

Bynum scored 10 points and matched his career high with 18 rebounds Monday, his fourth consecutive game with 10 or more points and his sixth straight with 12 or more rebounds. He's had a big impact on the Lakers' winning ways since the All-Star break.

After rounding into form slowly following offseason right knee surgery that sidelined him for the first 24 games of 2010-11, Bynum has become a force in the paint for the Lakers. His season averages have risen to 11.6 points and 8.8 rebounds.

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Impressive Lakers roll past Orlando in 2nd half

LOS ANGELES – By the time Kobe Bryant talked himself into a little confidence in his swollen ankle in the second half, Andrew Bynum and the Los Angeles Lakers' reserves had already taken care of Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.

Pau Gasol scored 23 points, Bryant added 16 while playing on a sprained left ankle, and the Lakers roared away in the second half for their 10th win in 11 games, 97-84 Monday night.

Bynum had 10 points, a career high-tying 18 rebounds and four blocks while hounding Howard into nine turnovers — four more than the entire Lakers squad — in another eye-catching low-post game for the Lakers' young center.

It all added up to a rather easy night of work for Bryant, who decided to play despite seriously rolling his ankle during the third quarter of Saturday's win at Dallas.

"It was more mental," said Bryant, who went 7 for 19 and missed eight shots in the first half. "It affected my bounce a little bit just because of the trust factor, just trusting it in the first half. Then at halftime, I just gave it a little pep talk."

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Orlando Magic Sign Second Round Pick

On Monday, the Orlando Magic officially signed forward Stanley Robinson. Robinson, selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2010 NBA draft, played four seasons for the University of Connecticut. He also was considered an integral part of the Huskies 2009 run to the Final Four.

This summer, Stanley Robinson played on the Magic’s summer league team where he impressed staff by shooting fifty percent from the floor and he also excels in rebounding and, with his 6’9″ frame, shot blocking.

Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.