In the NBA...the Los Angeles Lakers are experts when it comes to beating the Timberwolves. Kobe Bryant and his crew went to Minneapolis looking to beat Minnesota for the 14th time in a row on Tuesday.

But the T-Wolves would not make it easy. Michael Beasley hit a pull-up jumper to give Minnesota a 5-point lead at the end of the first half.

Second half...Timberwolves ball but Ron Artest got the steal and Spain's Pau Gasol went in for a three-point play to pull the Lakers even at 45-all. Gasol had 12 points and 17 rebounds in the game.

Minnesota retook the lead and struggled to hold on. The Lakers down four...watch Bryant spin down the lane for a dunk. He made it 58-56 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third.

Wes Johnson hit a jumper for the Timberwolves with two minutes left in the quarter. Johnson had 20 points and eight rebounds.

Bryant answered right back from three point range. The Lakers took a 61-60 lead. Los Angeles was up 4 going to the fourth quarter. Bryant scored 24 points, but made just 8 of 18 from the field.

But Kobe nailed the shots when it counted. His fall-back leaner put the Lakers in front by ten with a minute left. L-A went on to top Minnesota 90-79.

Howard leads Magic past Knicks 116-110

Moving to the East for Orlando and New York....Dwight Howard's alley oop dunk shot gave the Magic a 2-point lead over the Knicks midway through the first quarter.

Later in the quarter...Howard again...the Magic up 12. Howard finished the game with 30 points and 16 rebounds.

But, the Knicks responded with a 21-7 run to start the second. Amare Stoudemire tied the match at 39-all and New York led by 11 at the break.

The Magic continued to struggle in the second half. New York's new players clicked into place...look out for Chauncey Billups and Stoudemire on the pick and roll. Soutdemire laid it in and drew the foul for a three point play. The Knicks looked unstoppable in Orlando.

Newcomer Carmelo Anthony hit a three-pointer to keep the New York advantage at 10 points. But Orlando would make one last run.

The Magic came all the way back down the stretch. Jameer Nelson's jump shot gave Orlando a 5 point lead. Nelson scored 23 of his 26 points in the second half.

Orlando outlasted New York 116-110.

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