Nelson`s Big Shots Help Magic Overcome Lakers

The Magic have claimed both of their matchups with the Lakers this season and won their sixth straight overall.

Jameer Nelson scored 15 of his team-high 28 points in the decisive fourth quarter to help the visiting Orlando Magic sting the Los Angeles Lakers 109-103 on Friday.

Nelson's late-game heroics, coupled with Dwight Howard's 25 points and 20 rebounds, allowed the Magic to withstand a triple-double by reigning MVP Kobe Bryant.

Nelson drained a three-point shot with 35 seconds remaining to give Orlando a 104-103 edge, and added four free throws down the stretch.

The Magic have claimed both of their matchups with the Lakers this season and won their sixth straight overall.

"We played hard for four quarters and beat a tough team," Howard told reporters. "We're trying to get better every day, and every team we play from now on will be great - we have to answer the challenge."

Bryant recorded 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for the 15th triple-double of his career in the loss, going cold in the fourth quarter where he shot just 3-for-12.

His potential game-tying three-pointer with 10 seconds left hit the rim but would not drop into the basket.

"He had good looks. Some nights they're not going to go in," said Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson. "Defense has to be the thing that carries you night in and night out.

"When shots don't go in, you play defense and stop a team."

It was the second consecutive late-game loss for the Lakers (31-8), who fell to the San Antonio Spurs 112-111 Wednesday on a last-second shot.

The surging Magic were coming off a record performance on Tuesday when they made an NBA-best 23 three-pointers in a 139-107 rout of the Sacramento Kings.

The Magic drained five three-pointers in a back-and-forth final quarter to outlast the Western-Conference leading Lakers.

Rashard Lewis had 16 points and four triples and Hedo Turkoglu had 13 for Orlando.

Orlando trailed 52-44 at halftime but pulled to within one point through three quarters.