Lakers ride second-half surge to beat Spurs

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers mounted a dramatic second-half comeback in a 89-85 victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in the first game of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday.

Trailing by as many as 20 points in the third quarter, the Lakers rode the hot hand of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to prevent San Antonio spoiling their perfect home record in the playoffs.

Bryant, the NBA's Most Valuable Player, scored only two points in the first two quarters before taking over in the second half, finishing with 27 points. Gasol added 19 points.

Game Two is in Los Angeles on Friday.