Lakers-Hornets Preview

By BRETT MARTEL
Posted Apr 27 2011 6:49PM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Two transcendent playoff performances by Chris Paul made the Hornets' first-round series with Los Angeles far more interesting than the defending champion Lakers would have preferred.

The question now is whether the Hornets' four-time All-Star can summon another big game back in the Big Easy on Thursday night.

At the very least, Paul welcomes the pressure that comes with a game in which a loss ends the season for his team.

"This is all or nothing for us," Paul said. "I can't wait."

When Paul has been sensational - with his 33-point, 14 assist performance in Game 1 and his triple-double in Game 4 - the Hornets have pulled out a pair of hard fought victories. In the series' other three games, when Paul has still been exceptional, but short of dominant, the Lakers have won - including twice by double digits.

Now ahead 3-2 in the series, Los Angeles needs only one more win to dispatch pesky New Orleans. If the Lakers own key statistical categories as thoroughly as they did in their 106-90 Game 5 triumph on Tuesday night, the series isn't likely to make it back to the West Coast for Game 7.

The Lakers restored their dominance inside, outrebounding the Hornets 42-25, which included a 15-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. That led to a whopping 22-2 advantage in second-chance points. Los Angeles also outscored the Hornets 42-30 in the paint.

"We should be able to play like that all the time," Lakers forward Pau Gasol said. "We needed to play physical and control the boards, and use our bodies. ... Our energy was good, and that's why we won the way we won."

The Hornets never looked more outmatched in the series, but if that result shook their confidence, they're not letting it show.

"The great thing about it is now we get to go back to our home court with our fans behind us, and we have to bring the energy," Paul said. "It's the elimination game now. We can't leave anything out there."

Paul has said throughout his career that he never wants to come out and would gladly play 48 minutes if coaches would let him. Such an approach might have served the Hornets well in Game 5.

The Hornets led by nine when Paul went to the bench to rest in the beginning of the second quarter. The Lakers immediately went on a 10-0 run and the momentum seemed to change for good.

Hornets coach Monty Williams said Paul's teammates could have helped him by showing more toughness on defense and fouling hard, the way Lakers star Kobe Bryant did when he thwarted a layup attempt by Emeka Okafor with a forearm across the Hornets center's head.

"At some point, you have to know how to make a playoff foul," Williams said. The coach then referred to the lack of resistance Bryant met on his thunderous driving dunk in the second quarter, which seemed to energize his team. "We have to learn how to not allow him to get that play off."

Williams believes the Lakers have been allowed to get away with too much banging inside. He even made a formal protest to the NBA about it after Game 3.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson didn't seem quite sure what to make of his team being portrayed as the one that hits hardest.

"It was pretty interesting. We're not usually known for that," Jackson said. "We're known as being soft, but sometimes desperation can activate" toughness.

Jackson added that he fully expected the Hornets to respond to their coach's call for more aggression.

"The game will be feisty, no doubt about it," Jackson said. "The team that beats the other team to loose balls is going to win the game."

Bryant, meanwhile, continues to receive treatment for an injury to his left ankle and foot that occurred late in the Hornets Game 4 win. Of course, the Hornets realized by the second quarter of Game 5 that they better not count on the injury slowing the Lakers' superstar down. Although he played less than 29 minutes in Game 5, he was 8 of 13 shooting for 19 points and showed little lack of explosion on a pair of soaring one-handed jams.

Jackson said Bryant was sore on Wednesday, but added that he did not expect to limit Bryant's playing time at all on Thursday night.

"This is a game in which we go all-out to win," Jackson said. "If it's 40 minutes, we will" play Bryant that long.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Bryant, Lakers, close out Hornets in style

By BRETT MARTEL
Posted Apr 29 2011 1:15AM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Andrew Bynum used his massive frame to own the lane, Kobe Bryant made timely shots that silenced a hostile crowd, and the Los Angeles Lakers started to look a lot more like a team trying to win a third straight NBA title.

Bryant scored 22 of his 24 points in the first three quarters, then let his teammates take over in a dominant 98-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday night that wrapped up a first-round playoff series triumph for Los Angeles in six games.

The performance left coach Phil Jackson saying his current squad has the "potential to be as good as any team I've coached with the Lakers."

He might have sounded silly saying that after Game 4, when Chris Paul's triple-double helped the Hornets tie the series at two, but it's not like championship Lakers teams have never started slow before.

They split their first four playoff games with Oklahoma City last season before winning that series 4-2 and moving on to eventually win the franchise's 16th NBA title. This time, they turned in convincing double-digit victories in the last two games, winning by 16 on Tuesday night and leading by as much as 21 in the fourth quarter of the series clincher.

"We're good at making adjustments and learning," Bryant said. "So the more a series goes on, the more we learn. That comes from our coaching staff. That comes from us and the amount of experience we have, being able to pick teams apart the later we go in a series."

The Lakers move on to the second round, facing the Dallas Mavericks, who eliminated Portland in six games. Game 1 will be Monday at Staples Center.

The 7-foot, 285-pound Bynum had 18 points and 12 rebounds, drawing groans from the New Orleans crowd with each of his eight offensive rebounds. His ability to clean up teammates' misses and extend possessions helped Los Angeles gain a lopsided 21-4 advantage in second-chance points.

"Every time he got an offensive rebound, it was deflating," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "You don't really realize how good he is until you face him in a series. Kobe's Kobe, but I thought Bynum decided the series. He was that good."

Pau Gasol chipped in 16 points and Lamar Odom 14 for the Lakers, whose overpowering fourth quarter provided an anticlimactic ending to what had initially been a more exciting series than many expected - particularly with the Hornets having lost leading scorer David West to a season-ending injury in late March.

Paul, who helped the Hornets split the first four games with two sensational performances, wasn't able to deliver a third victory. He had only seven points before hitting a 3-pointer with 4:02 to go and finished with 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds.

"Once we started missing shots, the lane became filled with Laker jerseys, and to ask Chris to bail us out of a game like that is unfair," Williams said. "They're the champs and they know how to put the pedal to the medal - and they did."

As they did in Game 5, the Lakers again controlled the paint, outrebounding New Orleans 43-30, including 14 offensive rebounds.

"We just lost to a really, really good team. It's obvious why they're the two-time defending champs," Paul said. "They did a really good job of closing the lane down. ... I still tried to find my spots, but the lane was packed."

The Lakers led by double digits throughout the fourth quarter, and Williams finally conceded the game with about a minute to go when he removed the starters, who received an appreciative standing ovation from the sellout crowd in the New Orleans Arena.

Carl Landry had 19 points for the Hornets, who have not won a playoff series since the first round in 2008, but who did better than expected this season after Williams took his first head coaching job last summer with a team that had missed the playoffs last season. Trevor Ariza scored 12 points for New Orleans and Marco Belinelli 11.

After falling behind by as many as 12 points in the middle of the third quarter, New Orleans was as close as 54-48 when Jason Smith hit a jumper. But Bryant and Gasol each hit a pair of free throws to get Los Angeles' lead back to 10, and each time the Hornets tried to claw back after that, the Lakers had an answer.

When Willie Green hit a 3 to make it 60-53, Bryant came right back with a 3 of his own and put his finger to his lips as the crowd quieted again.

Then late in the quarter, Paul lost the ball under his own basket when he bumped into Ron Artest and tumbled over the baseline, hoping to draw a foul. Instead, Artest put in an easy layup and flexed both biceps while the crowd booed the officials in frustration.

The boos continued when Smith fouled Bryant hard on a drive and was called for a flagrant foul. After conspicuously applauding the call, to the annoyance of Hornets fans, Bryant made both free throws, giving the Lakers a 69-57 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Hornets needed a strong start to the fourth quarter and it appeared they might make one more run when Paul promptly found Smith for an open jumper to make it 69-59. Yet the Lakers again denied the Hornets any momentum as Odom responded with a 3 and Bynum scored inside on a possession kept alive by an offensive rebound. That ignited a 9-0 run that made it 78-59 with 8:28 left.

The game was never in doubt after that.

"The size and depth of our team wore them down in the end," Jackson said. "It took us a little time to figure out this team."

Notes: The Lakers hit 25 of 26 free throws. ... The Hornets are 1-4 in Game 6s, including 1-2 when they are elimination games. ... The Hornets have never won a best-of-seven series that went at least six games. ... The Lakers are 73-29 in best-of-seven series. ... Bryant has scored in double figures in 155 straight playoff games.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Lakers-Hornets notebook

By Bradley Handwerger, for NBA.com
Posted Thursday April 28, 2011 11:55PM

THE FACTS: The Lakers finally put away the pesky New Orleans Hornets.

In a series few expected to go more than four games, Los Angeles moved into the Western Conference semifinals with a 98-80 win over New Orleans in Game 6 Thursday night at the New Orleans Arena.

Kobe Bryant had 24 points, Andrew Bynum added 18 and Pau Gasol recorded16 point for the Lakers. Chris Paul, a pillar for the Hornets for much of the series, finished with only 10 points while Carl Landry led New Orleans with 19 points.

QUOTABLE: "You set your mind that whatever it takes. If it takes seven games in a series, you play seven games. We want to win every game, no doubt. (You may not), but you've got to be able to do it without disappointment."
-- Lakers coach Phil Jackson when asked about whether the Hornets pushing his team to six games will help them out in the long run.

THE STAT: The Lakers owned second-chance points in Game 5 and repeated the feat in Game 6. Los Angeles won the battle 21-4 on 14 offensive rebounds.

TURNING POINT: The Hornets pulled to within 42-40 early in the third quarter when Lakers forward Pau Gasol had a two-minute breakthrough. He scored six points in a 10-2 run that put New Orleans on its heels while giving Los Angeles breathing room to close out the game.

QUOTABLE II: "Yeah I'm disappointed. Every time I step on the court I play with a mindset. I'm not thinking about anything but winning the game. It's the third time I've played an elimination game and I hate it. I hate it. I want to win worse than anybody. The way this thing ended doesn't sit right with me."
--Paul, answering a question about playing poorly in the final game of the series.

HOT: Lakers forward Lamar Odom hasn't had a standout series, but Thursday night, he hit several big shots and gave the Lakers 14 points off the bench on 5 of 10 shooting and added eight rebounds.

NOT: New Orleans' Paul, hot for so much of this series, couldn't find his range in Game 6. The All-Star point guard was just 4 of 9, finishing with a series low 10 points. He did pitch in 11 assists and eight rebounds.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Game 6 brought out more local celebrities to the New Orleans Arena, including New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley, who put the Saints in Super bowl XLIV with an overtime field goal in the 2010 NFC championship game. Also, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu joined the crowd. Houston Texans receiver Jacoby Jones also was in attendance.

NOTABLE: Game 6 marked the 12th sellout of the season at the New Orleans Arena. Interestingly, five were against the Lakers. ... The teams combined to go 42-44 from the free-throw line. ... The Lakers held the Hornets to fewer than 24 points in the final seven quarters of the series. ... Paul averaged 22 points and 11.5 assists in the series and remains the only player in NBA history to average 20 points and 10 assists in his playoff career.

UP NEXT: For the Lakers, Monday vs. winner of Dallas-Portland series. For the Hornets, the season is over.

• Lakers: Caracter, Ebanks, Ratliff
• Hornets: Andersen, Banks, West

• Lakers: --
• Hornets: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 7

• Arena: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
• Officials: #24 Mike Callahan, #10 Ron Garretson, #49 Tom Washington
• Attendance: 17949
• Duration: 2:24

Los Angeles Lakers (58-25)		New Orleans Hornets (46-37)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Okafor vs Bynum (Paul gains possession)
	11:44	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
	11:42	Okafor Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	11:40	Ariza Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (1 TO)
	11:32	Okafor Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Gasol Hook Shot: Missed	11:20
	11:18	Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:03	Landry Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:02
	10:52	Belinelli Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	10:52 [LAL 1-0]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	10:52 [LAL 2-0]
	10:38	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (1 BLK)
Team Rebound	10:38
Artest 3pt Shot: Missed	10:20
	10:19	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Bryant Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:14
	10:14 [NOH 1-2]	Belinelli Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	10:14 [NOH 2-2]	Belinelli Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Bynum Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gasol (1 AST)	09:56 [LAL 4-2]
	09:41 [NOH 4-4]	Okafor Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Belinelli (1 AST)
Fisher 3pt Shot: Missed	09:29
	09:23	Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:13 [NOH 6-4]	Landry Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (1 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	08:44
	08:43	Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:29	Landry Layup Shot: Missed
	08:28	Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	08:25 [NOH 8-4]	Okafor Jump Bank Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Okafor (1 BLK)	08:02
Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:01
Bynum Putback Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:00 [LAL 6-8]
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	07:59
	07:50	Paul Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	07:50	Paul Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Bynum Jump Bank Shot: Missed	07:34
	07:32	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:29	Paul Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	07:13
	07:12	Landry Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:00	Paul Driving Bank shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:59
	06:52	Ariza Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Artest 3pt Shot: Missed	06:42
	06:41	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:35	Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed
Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:34
Team Timeout : Regular	06:28
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	06:16
	06:14	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	05:58	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
Bynum Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	05:57
Bynum Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Okafor (1 ST)	05:49
Gasol Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	05:49
	05:33	Landry Jump Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:32
Fisher Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	05:17 [LAL 8-8]
	04:58	Okafor Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (1 ST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	04:48 [LAL 10-8]
	04:33 [NOH 10-10]	Ariza Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (2 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	04:13
Team Rebound	04:12
	04:12	Okafor Substitution replaced by Gray
	04:12	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Green
Gasol Substitution replaced by Odom	04:12
Bynum Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	04:00
	03:59	Gray Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:42	Landry Jump Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:40
Bryant Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Odom (1 AST)	03:27 [LAL 12-10]
	03:04	Green Jump Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (1 BLK)
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:02
Bynum Hook Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Odom (2 AST)	02:50 [LAL 14-10]
	02:37	Team Timeout : Regular
Bynum Substitution replaced by Gasol	02:37
Bryant Substitution replaced by Brown	02:37
	02:27 [NOH 12-14]	Green Driving Bank shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (3 AST)
Brown Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Odom (3 AST)	02:11 [LAL 16-12]
	01:50 [NOH 14-16]	Landry Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Green (1 AST)
	01:33	Paul Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Fisher Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Artest (1 AST)	01:26 [LAL 18-14]
	01:08	Green 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:07
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	00:49.9
	00:49.1	Gray Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:33.4	Gray Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	00:33.4	Gray Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Fisher Substitution replaced by Blake	00:33.4
Gasol Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Paul (1 ST)	00:20.6
Artest Foul : Clear Path (1 PF)	00:17.9
	00:17.9 [NOH 15-18]	Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	00:17.9 [NOH 16-18]	Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
	00:17.9	Gray Substitution replaced by Smith
	00:01.0	Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:00.1
End of 1st Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (58-25)		New Orleans Hornets (46-37)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Blake Layup Shot: Missed	11:45
Bynum Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	11:44
Bynum Putback Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	11:44 [LAL 20-16]
	11:22	Okafor Turnover : 3 Second Violation (2 TO)
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	11:06
Bynum Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	11:05
Bynum Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)	11:02
	10:51 [NOH 18-20]	Belinelli Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Bynum Step Back Jump shot: Made (10 PTS)	10:25 [LAL 22-18]
	10:13 [NOH 20-22]	Jack Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	10:01	Green Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Odom Layup Shot: Missed	09:57
Bynum Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	09:56
Bynum Tip Shot: Missed	09:56
Bynum Rebound (Off:5 Def:2)	09:55
Bynum Tip Shot: Made (12 PTS)	09:55 [LAL 24-20]
Brown Foul : Personal Block (1 PF)	09:45
	09:38	Green Jump Shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:37
Barnes Jump Shot: Missed	09:26
	09:24	Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	09:13	Smith Jump Shot: Missed
Brown Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:11
Bynum Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	09:06
Bynum Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	09:06
	09:06	Green Substitution replaced by Ariza
	08:49 [NOH 22-24]	Jack Floating Jump shot: Made (4 PTS)
	08:26
	08:26	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Paul
	08:26	Jump Ball Okafor vs Bynum (Blake gains possession)
Blake Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Okafor (2 ST)	08:22
	08:16 [NOH 24-24]	Ariza Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Paul (4 AST)
Blake Jump Shot: Missed	07:44
	07:43	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:27	Smith Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:25
Barnes Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Odom (4 AST)	07:20 [LAL 26-24]
	06:59 [NOH 26-26]	Jack Pullup Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	06:36
	06:35	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Bynum Foul : Personal (2 PF)	06:21
	06:21	Smith Substitution replaced by Landry
Bynum Substitution replaced by Gasol	06:21
Brown Substitution replaced by Bryant	06:21
	06:17	Jack Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	06:17
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	06:02
	06:01	Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
Blake Foul : Personal (1 PF)	05:48
	05:48	Team Timeout : Regular
Barnes Substitution replaced by Artest	05:48
Blake Substitution replaced by Fisher	05:48
	05:39 [NOH 28-26]	Landry Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Ariza (1 AST)
	05:24	Jack Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Odom Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Artest (2 AST)	05:12 [LAL 28-28]
	04:46	Jack Jump Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	04:45
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Gasol (2 AST)	04:23 [LAL 31-28]
Artest Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:56
	03:56 [NOH 29-31]	Landry Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	03:56 [NOH 30-31]	Landry Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Odom Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Fisher (1 AST)	03:35 [LAL 33-30]
	03:11 [NOH 32-33]	Okafor Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Ariza (2 AST)
Artest Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Fisher (2 AST)	02:49 [LAL 35-32]
	02:34	Jack Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (2 ST)
Bryant Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Fisher (3 AST)	02:30 [LAL 37-32]
	02:12	Landry Foul : Offensive Charge (1 PF)
	02:12	Landry Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:12
	02:12	Jack Substitution replaced by Belinelli
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	01:59
Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	01:57
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	01:51
	01:50	Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	01:37	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:35
Fisher Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)	01:29 [LAL 39-32]
	01:10	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	01:09
	00:53.8	Okafor Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:53.8
Team Rebound	00:53.8
Artest Substitution replaced by Barnes	00:53.8
	00:53.8	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Green
Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	00:53.8 [LAL 40-32]
	00:36.6 [NOH 34-40]	Paul Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	00:23.4
	00:00.0	Green Running Jump Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 2nd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (58-25)		New Orleans Hornets (46-37)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Artest Jump Shot: Missed	11:43
	11:42	Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	11:20 [NOH 36-40]	Belinelli Running Bank shot: Made (6 PTS)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	11:02
	11:01	Team Rebound
	10:46	Ariza Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Bynum (1 ST)
Bryant Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)	10:32 [LAL 42-36]
	10:06	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	09:56	Belinelli Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	09:41
	09:38	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	09:29 [NOH 38-42]	Landry Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Ariza (3 AST)
Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Paul (2 ST)	09:19
	09:14 [NOH 40-42]	Belinelli Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Paul (5 AST)
Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:50 [LAL 44-40]
	08:41	Paul Jump Shot: Missed
Artest Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	08:39
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Artest (3 AST)	08:27 [LAL 46-40]
	08:02	Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	08:02
	08:02	Okafor Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	07:44
	07:43	Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	07:30	Paul Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	07:29
	07:20	Okafor Foul : Shooting Block (4 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	07:20 [LAL 47-40]
	07:20	Okafor Substitution replaced by Gray
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	07:20 [LAL 48-40]
	07:05 [NOH 42-48]	Ariza Pullup Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)
Bynum Turnover : 3 Second Violation (4 TO)	06:53
	06:39	Paul Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Gasol Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Bynum (1 AST)	06:20 [LAL 50-42]
	06:02	Ariza Jump Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	06:01
Bynum Alley Oop Layup shot: Missed	05:46
Bynum Rebound (Off:6 Def:2)	05:45
Bynum Putback Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)	05:44 [LAL 52-42]
	05:44	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:19	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (2 BLK)
Team Rebound	05:19
Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Belinelli (1 ST)	04:59
Fisher Foul : Personal (1 PF)	04:52
	04:52	Gray Substitution replaced by Mbenga
	04:52	Belinelli Substitution replaced by Green
	04:38	Landry Reverse Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bynum (2 BLK)
Team Rebound	04:38
Bynum Layup Shot: Missed	04:24
Artest Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	04:22
	04:19	Landry Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	04:19	Landry Substitution replaced by Smith
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	04:19 [LAL 53-42]
Bynum Substitution replaced by Odom	04:19
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	04:19 [LAL 54-42]
	04:03 [NOH 44-54]	Ariza Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Paul (6 AST)
Fisher Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Mbenga (1 ST)	03:51
	03:45 [NOH 46-54]	Green Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Paul (7 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:44
	03:26	Mbenga Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)	03:26 [LAL 55-46]
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)	03:26 [LAL 56-46]
	03:14 [NOH 48-56]	Smith Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (8 AST)
	02:58	Mbenga Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	02:58 [LAL 57-48]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	02:58 [LAL 58-48]
	02:49 [NOH 50-58]	Paul Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed	02:22
Artest Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	02:20
Gasol Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Artest (4 AST)	02:17 [LAL 60-50]
	02:03 [NOH 53-60]	Green 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Mbenga (1 AST)
Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Artest (5 AST)	01:35 [LAL 63-53]
Fisher Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	01:17
	01:17 [NOH 54-63]	Green Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
	01:17 [NOH 55-63]	Green Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)
Odom Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)	01:03 [LAL 65-55]
	00:49.9	Ariza Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	00:46.9	Mbenga Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	00:45.0	Green 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:44.7	Ariza Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Gasol Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	00:44.7
	00:44.7 [NOH 56-65]	Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	00:44.7 [NOH 57-65]	Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Gasol Layup Shot: Missed	00:28.9
	00:27.6	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	00:24.8	Paul Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Artest (1 ST)
Artest Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	00:23.8 [LAL 67-57]
	00:08.5	Smith Jump Shot: Missed Block: Artest (1 BLK)
Fisher Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:07.6
	00:02.6	Smith Foul : Flagrant Type 1 (1 PF)
Bryant Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 (21 PTS)	00:02.6 [LAL 68-57]
Bryant Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 1 (22 PTS)	00:02.6 [LAL 69-57]
Artest Substitution replaced by Brown	00:02.6
Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Los Angeles Lakers (58-25)		New Orleans Hornets (46-37)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:50 [NOH 59-69]	Smith Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Paul (9 AST)
Brown 3pt Shot: Missed	11:21
Bynum Rebound (Off:7 Def:2)	11:20
Odom 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Blake (1 AST)	11:04 [LAL 72-59]
	10:47	Paul Jump Shot: Missed
	10:45	Mbenga Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	10:42	Green 3pt Shot: Missed
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	10:41
Blake 3pt Shot: Missed	10:26
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:24
Bynum Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Blake (2 AST)	10:12 [LAL 74-59]
	09:43	Ariza Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Bynum Rebound (Off:7 Def:3)	09:42
	09:30	Smith Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	09:30	Green Substitution replaced by Jack
	09:30	Smith Substitution replaced by Landry
	09:30	Mbenga Substitution replaced by Okafor
Odom Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)	09:30 [LAL 75-59]
Odom Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)	09:30 [LAL 76-59]
	09:12	Paul 3pt Shot: Missed
Brown Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:11
Brown Layup Shot: Missed Block: Okafor (2 BLK)	09:00
	08:58	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	08:47	Jack Jump Shot: Missed Block: Barnes (1 BLK)
Odom Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	08:46
	08:36
Brown Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Blake (3 AST)	08:28 [LAL 78-59]
	08:08 [NOH 61-78]	Landry Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ariza (4 AST)
Odom Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:08
	08:08 [NOH 62-78]	Landry Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)
Odom 3pt Shot: Missed	07:48
Bynum Rebound (Off:8 Def:3)	07:46
	07:40	Ariza Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Brown Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	07:40 [LAL 79-62]
Brown Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	07:40 [LAL 80-62]
	07:30	Landry Jump Shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	07:29
Odom Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Blake (4 AST)	07:23 [LAL 82-62]
	07:22	Team Timeout : Regular
	07:22	Ariza Substitution replaced by Belinelli
	07:05	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	07:04
Odom Jump Shot: Missed	06:42
Odom Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	06:41
Odom Putback Layup Shot: Missed	06:40
	06:39	Jack Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Barnes Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	06:31
	06:31 [NOH 63-82]	Okafor Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	06:31	Okafor Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Bynum Rebound (Off:8 Def:4)	06:30
	06:13	Okafor Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
Bynum Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)	06:13 [LAL 83-63]
Bynum Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	06:13 [LAL 84-63]
Barnes Foul : Personal (2 PF)	06:04
	05:53	Landry Jump Shot: Missed
	05:52	Okafor Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	05:49	Jack 3pt Shot: Missed
	05:48	Okafor Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	05:44	Jack Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Blake (1 ST)
Barnes Jump Shot: Missed	05:27
	05:26	Landry Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:23 [NOH 65-84]	Paul Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Blake Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:23
Bynum Substitution replaced by Fisher	05:23
Brown Substitution replaced by Bryant	05:23
Blake Substitution replaced by Artest	05:23
Barnes Substitution replaced by Gasol	05:23
	05:23	Jack Substitution replaced by Ariza
	05:23 [NOH 66-84]	Paul Free Throw 1 of 1 (7 PTS)
	05:07	Ariza Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	05:07 [LAL 85-66]
Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	05:07 [LAL 86-66]
Gasol Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	04:50
	04:50 [NOH 67-86]	Landry Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	04:50 [NOH 68-86]	Landry Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
	04:29	Landry Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)	04:29 [LAL 87-68]
Artest Substitution replaced by Barnes	04:29
Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (24 PTS)	04:29 [LAL 88-68]
	04:13	Paul Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Bryant (3 ST)
Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Belinelli (2 ST)	04:08
	04:04 [NOH 71-88]	Paul 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Ariza (5 AST)
Bryant Jump Shot: Missed	03:36
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	03:35
Gasol Tip Shot: Made (16 PTS)	03:35 [LAL 90-71]
	03:18 [NOH 73-90]	Landry Slam Dunk Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Paul (10 AST)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	02:50
Team Timeout : Regular	02:50
Bryant Substitution replaced by Brown	02:50
	02:50	Okafor Substitution replaced by Green
	02:39 [NOH 76-90]	Belinelli 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Paul (11 AST)
Gasol Jump Shot: Missed	02:11
	02:10	Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)
Barnes Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	02:04
	02:04 [NOH 77-90]	Landry Free Throw 1 of 2 (18 PTS)
	02:04 [NOH 78-90]	Landry Free Throw 2 of 2 (19 PTS)
	01:57	Green Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Brown Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	01:57 [LAL 91-78]
Brown Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	01:57 [LAL 92-78]
	01:57	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:45	Landry Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Fisher (1 ST)
Team Timeout : Short	01:45
Gasol Foul : Offensive (4 PF)	01:38
Gasol Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	01:38
	01:24	Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed
Barnes Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	01:23
Barnes 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Gasol (3 AST)	01:00 [LAL 95-78]
	01:00	Team Timeout : Short
	01:00	Ariza Substitution replaced by Pondexter
	01:00	Landry Substitution replaced by Ewing Jr.
	01:00	Paul Substitution replaced by Smith
	01:00	Green Substitution replaced by Gray
Fisher Substitution replaced by Smith	01:00
Odom Substitution replaced by Johnson	01:00
	00:50.8	Pondexter 3pt Shot: Missed
Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	00:49.6
Barnes 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Johnson (1 AST)	00:32.4 [LAL 98-78]
	00:22.1 [NOH 80-98]	Pondexter Driving Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gray (1 AST)
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			TNT	National	8:00 pm ET
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canada			TSN2	national	8:00 pm ET