Orlando Magic 109, Los Angeles Lakers 103

It was billed as a battle of MVPs. And neither one disappointed.

Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant each put in MVP-worthy performances pacing their teams to the very end. Fortunately for Orlando, its supporting cast carried the team to the finish and gutted out the win.

It was the could-be (should-be) All Star that delivered.

Jameer Nelson continues to make a name for himself as the closer for this team with a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left that gave Orlando a one-point lead. Bryant tried to will the Lakers to a win, but his 3-pointer rimmed out with his team down three and his team fell short to the Magic once again.

It was a solid effort from the Magic. They got down early but rallied back in the third quarter with a very opportunistic defense. Orlando was getting after the ball and forcing turnovers, shooting into the gaps for steals and starting the fast break.

It was clear that once Howard was out of foul trouble at the beginning of the second half, that the Lakers had no way to defend him. Howard was getting what he wanted in the paint and when he was agressive, he was scoring.

But at the end, the defense was a liability. Orlando could not keep guys in front and could not stop anyone from getting to the basket. But the offense was on.

The Magic have learned to do one thing really well that has turned them into one of the top teams in the league. That is pass the ball.

Every possession, Orlando was making the extra pass to find open players for good looks at the basket. The offense was really flowing and even though the defense was giving away opportunities, it did enough earn the win.

This is a big win for the Magic. They have never swept the Lakers in a season series (let alone win two games in a row against them). Bryant was once again fantastic, getting a triple double through three quarters.

But Bryant could not will a victory against Orlando. That is something he is going to have to learn. What worked for the Lakers was him getting others involved and creating for others. The Magic were not playing him as physically as they were in the first matchup but when it came to crunch time, Orlando forced him to take jumpers and kept him from getting others involved.