Big guns shine for Lakers in win over T-Wolves

Minneapolis, Minnesota (Reuters): Kobe Bryant scored 39 points and Shaqullle O'Neal added 32 as the three-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers opened the playoffs with an impressive 117-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in NBA action on Sunday.

The fifth-seeded Lakers had little trouble with the fourth-seeded Timberwolves and took home-court advantage back in the series.

Game Two is in Minneapolis on Tuesday.

Bryant scored 28 of his points in a dominating first half and O'Neal added 10 rebounds as the Lakers pulled into a 14-point half time lead to win for the 17th time in their past 19 postseason road games.

During the regular season, Los Angeles overcame an 11-19 start — most of which was without the injured O'Neal — and rallied to win 50 games.

The Timberwolves had home court advantage for the first time in their history, but are now in danger of losing in the first round of the playoffs for the seventh straight year.

Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for the T-Wolves, while Wally Szczerbiak added 15 points.

Derek Fisher added 17 points for the Lakers, who sent an early message by scoring 39 points in the opening quarter.

In Auburn Hills, Tracy McGrady scored a franchise piavoff record 43 points as the eighth-seeded Orlando Magic upset the top seeded Detroit Pistons 99-94.

Game Two in the best-of-seven opening round Eastern Conference series is in Detroit on Wednesday.

Rookie Drew Gooden had 18 points and 14 rebounds as the Magic survived a late fourth quarter rally by the Pistons to hold on for the win.

Richard Hamilton led Detroit with 28 points.

Chauncey Billups added 21, while Ben Wallace had 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while playing 42 minutes in his first game back since missing two weeks with an ankle injury.

In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson turned in one of the best shooting displays in NBA playoff history as the 76ers downed the New Orleans Hornets 98-90.

Iverson scored a playoff career-best 55 points as Philadelphia took Game One of the best-of-seven series.

Game Two is in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Iverson was 21-of-34 from the field in the game as he became just the sixth player in NBA history to score 55 or more points in a playoff game.

Recently retired Michael Jordan holds the. post-season record with 63, while Rick Barry, Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor are the others.