New Orleans (32-35) at LA Lakers (37-34) 9:30 pm EST
LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers can strengthen
their playoff chances while delivering a damaging blow to those
of the New Orleans Hornets when the teams meet Sunday.
Entering the contest, the Lakers sit in seventh place in the
Western Conference, four games behind Memphis and one ahead of
Sacramento. The Hornets are two games behind the Kings.
The teams are heading in opposite directions as Los Angeles has
won three straight and the Hornets are 1-10 in their last 11
games.
The Lakers improved to 2-0 on their four-game homestand after
Friday's 101-96 victory over Milwaukee. Kobe Bryant scored 43
points and got Los Angeles off to a fast start before it held
on.
Kwame Brown continued his recent resurgence with 16 points and
nine rebounds. During the Lakers' winning streak, Brown is
averaging 16 points on 65 percent (19-of-29) shooting and 10
rebounds.
The Hornets began a crucial four-game road trip with Friday's
96-82 loss to Chicago. Rookie Chris Paul led the Hornets with a
paltry 13 points.
Bryant had 40 points in Los Angeles' 113-107 victory over the
Hornets in New Orleans on March 8.
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Lakers, Hornets meet in playoff positioning matchup
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