Lakers win again

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant flies to the basket for two points against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter of their first-round Western Conference NBA playoff game Monday, Apr. 19, 2004, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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Kobe Bryant and the Lakers were once again amazing as they beat the Houston Rockets 98-84 to go up 2-0 in their first round playoff series.

Shaquille had a career playoff low 7 points, Karl Malone hit a high percentage of his shots, Kareem Rush had a pair of threes, Derek Fischer had a pair of threes, and even Luke Walton hit a three at one point.

The Rockets kept it close in the first half, but the Lakers exploded in the third quarter and never looked back. Steve Francis had a triple double in the losing effort.

Game 3 is in Houston, Friday night.  ¶ 4/20/2004 09:47:00 AM