The Miami Heat took a 52-37 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers into the locker room at half of their nationally televised Thursday night game. The Heat clamped down on the defensive end, as the Lakers went cold from the floor and Miami jumped out to a comfortable double digit lead. LeBron James had been sent home earlier in the day, struggling with the flu. But James got the starting nod shortly before tip, and he's come through 13 points and six assists so far. At the end of the first half, it was apparent that he and Kobe Bryant started to engage in the hype of the one-on-one superstar matchup.
Bryant finished the half with just six points, and was one of eight from the floor. The Lakers shooting just 31 percent from the floor, as Mike Brown's team struggled to get anything to fall. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 13 points on ten shots. Eddy Curry saw his first game action in almost three years, chipping in with two points. Miami is looking to build on the dynamic second half against San Antonio on Tuesday, and polish off their second Western Conference foe this week.
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