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09:55 AM ET 03.09 | This is the preferred kind of finger-pointing between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard. It's the first possession Friday night and Bryant finds his Lakers teammate near the basket for a reverse layup. Howard acknowledges Bryant on his way back up the court by extending his index finger in appreciation. Soon there is another grateful gesture after Howard takes a bounce pass from Bryant and drives for a ferocious dunk. It's no longer complicated for a couple of Lakers who had bickered for most of the season's first four months. They appear to like playing alongside one another, their fondness shown in subtle public displays of affection. The strengthening bond between Howard and Bryant has helped the Lakers fortify a season that is no longer quite so wobbly, their 118-116 overtime victory against Toronto at Staples Center on Friday moving them over .500 for the first time since Nov. 20.

Kobe Bryant, Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

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March 9, 2013 09:57 AM ET

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Playing Together Works, Bros.

I Love LA

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March 9, 2013 09:59 AM ET

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Congrats on being on the other side of the .500 plateau

BrownQJ: Bulls Gone…

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March 9, 2013 10:00 AM ET

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METTA WORLD ARTEST MUST BE CUT IMMEDIATELY!

BrownQJ: Bulls Gone…

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March 9, 2013 10:05 AM ET

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their fondness shown in subtle public displays of affection

TMI

jgb

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March 9, 2013 10:12 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:07 AM ET 03.09 by Em Em Aye

I figured it would happen eventually. Both guys are fierce competitors but they cannot do what the other guy does for them. Both want to win badly. The bonding was bound to happen. Dwight never played with a guy that could close games like Kobe. Kobe hasn't had a beast rebounder inside since Shaq left. Now he can shoot shots and feel comfortable that if he misses somebody on his side will probably clean it up.The part I'm enjoying is how Nash is finally finding his place and is efficiently putting up points every night. My only concern is when Pau comes back. He needs to stop taking garbage shots and just pass the ball more.

with all due respect-
pau and bynum averaged over 20+ boards per game between them the last bunch of years. Its not like they had eddy curry out there.

Bottom line is Dwight has taken off his bib and put on his big boy pants on/ He's realized that it is kobes team and as he's gotten healthier he's able to be the defensive beast that he typically is and his points will come when they come