Lakers narrowly lead Nets at half

That allowed the Lakers to get back into the game against the New Jersey Nets and open a 56-54 lead at the half.

The Lakers took a two-point halftime lead despite Kobe Bryant making only one of nine shots and finishing with four points in the first half.

Pau Gasol (16 points on six for eight) and Bynum (11 points on four for seven) were forces inside for the Lakers.

Devin Harris, after slow start in the first quarter, heated up to finish with 16 first-half points, and five assists for the Nets.

Ariza provided two highlights in the second quarter that left the fans cheering.

First, he tipped in a missed shot for a dunk over the head of Jarvis Hayes. Ariza then drove hard to the basket and threw a behind-the-back pass to Bynum for a dunk.

That defense the Lakers worked on in practice Monday was still absent in the first quarter.

The Lakers saw the Nets make 54.2% of their shots in the first quarter and New Jersey opened a 28-24 lead because of that.

Nets rookie guard Brook Lopez had eight first-quarter points on four-for-six shooting.

Vince Carter had seven points on three-for-five shooting.

Bryant missed six of his seven shots in the first and finished with only two points.

Turner is a Times staff writer

broderick.turner@latimes.com