Hornets-Lakers Preview

By BRETT HUSTON
Posted Apr 08 2013 10:00PM

The Los Angeles Lakers don't have much margin for error if they hope to make an eighth straight playoff appearance, but they should be pretty confident in their ability to beat the New Orleans Hornets.

Getting Metta World Peace back should make them feel even better.

World Peace is expected to return from a torn meniscus nearly a month earlier than anticipated Tuesday night at Staples Center as the desperate Lakers look for an 11th straight win over the Hornets.

Los Angeles (40-37) won 11 of its first 14 after the All-Star break to grab a one-game lead for the Western Conference's eighth seed, but it's slipped a bit over the last three weeks. Sunday's 109-95 loss to the Clippers was the Lakers' fifth in nine games, and after Utah's 97-90 win at Golden State later that night, Los Angeles found itself a half-game behind the Jazz for the final playoff spot.

Utah also owns the tiebreaker.

"We've got a bigger challenge than worrying about beating the Clippers in one game," Kobe Bryant said. "... Our concern is playing well in order to get into the playoffs, get guys healthy, and go in there and see what we can do."

Steve Nash is likely to miss his fourth straight with a hamstring injury on Tuesday, but the Lakers should get a surprise return from World Peace. The mercurial forward suffered his knee injury March 25 at Golden State and Los Angeles believed he'd be out until early May - if the Lakers were even still playing then - but he's been cleared to go after recovering from surgery in less than two weeks.

"We've got a chance to make a push for this championship run," World Peace told reporters Monday after practice at the Lakers' training complex. "We all need it. All the guys under contract, injured or not injured, we all need each other to make a run at this thing."

Los Angeles could certainly use an additional 3-point threat, and World Peace averages a team-best 2.0 per game, shooting 34.7 percent overall from beyond the arc. The Lakers are shooting 31.8 percent from long distance in this nine-game stretch, with Bryant shooting a woeful 17.9 percent (7 of 39).

Efficiency from deep hasn't been an issue for Los Angeles against New Orleans this season. The Lakers are shooting 40.4 percent beyond the arc in three wins over the Hornets (27-50) - hitting at least 11 3s in each victory - and they're shooting 48.1 percent overall in their 10 straight victories over New Orleans.

Reserve guard Jodie Meeks has been the big contributor from deep in this season's series, hitting 11 of 23 from long distance while averaging 13.7 points.

Bryant had 42 points in a 108-102 win at New Orleans last month, scoring 13 of those during a 20-0 closing run as the Lakers overcame a 25-point deficit.

The Hornets head to Staples for the fourth game of a five-game road trip, but they should feel somewhat good about themselves after winning away from home Sunday for the first time since the All-Star break. Anthony Davis had 20 points as New Orleans beat Phoenix 95-92 for its first road win since Feb. 11.

"It was good to get a win so people can stop talking about how many we lost on the road in a row," coach Monty Williams said. "Our guys feel good about beating a team in their place."

Ryan Anderson has averaged 20.3 points in the three meetings against the Lakers, while Greivis Vasquez has averaged 15.3 points and 12.0 assists.

Copyright 2013 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 beat Hornets 104-96 to stay in hunt

By BETH HARRIS
Posted Apr 10 2013 2:27AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant looked around, drew in a breath and gathered himself. Time for one of the game's best closers to get to work with the score tied to start the fourth quarter.

He fueled a desperate rally with 23 of his 30 points in the last 12 minutes, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Hornets 104-96 on Tuesday night to keep their playoff hopes alive.

"Aw ... I got to go in again and I really didn't want to," Bryant said he was thinking. "It's about conserving energy. The more I can kind of lag in the weeds the better."

But that depends on his teammates.

"If you're making shots, I can sit back," Bryant said. "If you're playing (bad), I can't."

No Laker but Bryant made a shot in the first seven minutes of the fourth. He had just four points at halftime.

"It is really just about me making shots. It is not really the defense," said Bryant, who had ice on his left shoulder and both knees after the game. "They keyed in on my penetration, but I know I could range over the defense and get the shot. So, with games like this, when the jumper is falling, you have fourth quarters like I had."

Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Dwight Howard added 19 points to help the Lakers move a half-game ahead of Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. The Jazz lost to Oklahoma City 90-80 earlier in the evening, but they hold the tiebreaker over the Lakers.

"We were pretty effective wearing down their bigs, especially late in the game," Howard said. "We just needed this game. It was intense. We got four games left. We control our own destiny."

Bryant urged Gasol to position himself down low where he's most effective and stay put.

"I haven't gotten to the post as much as I did tonight all year long," he said. "My teammates looked for me."

Eric Gordon scored 22 points, making 10 of 11 free throws, before fouling out in the final seconds to lead five Hornets in double figures. Anthony Davis added 18 points and 14 rebounds, Ryan Anderson had 14 points, and Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and 11 assists.

Metta World Peace returned for the Lakers less than two weeks after undergoing left knee surgery and had four points in 15 minutes as they won their third in a row at home.

Bryant put on his usual show in the fourth quarter that began with the teams tied at 70-all. He scored the Lakers' first seven points for a 77-70 lead, drawing chants of "Kobe! Kobe!"

"I knew I needed to be aggressive," he said. "Our energy had been down all game."

The Hornets ran off six in a row to take an 82-80 lead. Bryant answered with two straight jumpers before Davis' basket tied the game for the last time at 84-all.

From there, the Hornets were outscored 20-12.

"We had multiple guys doubling him and he just made smart plays," Anderson said of Bryant.

Hornets coach Monty Williams said, "You could put Saran Wrap on Kobe and I don't know if that's going to change anything."

Antawn Jamison, who finished with 13 points, scored five in a row for an 89-84 lead. But Bryant kept the Lakers going with another five straight, including a steal of Gordon that he capped with a fast-break driving finger roll.

"He had a lot of tough shots to get him going," Gordon said of Bryant. "Whenever you hit a few in a row it's almost hard to stop. He had a lot of tough shots and when he gets to the free throw line, it's a whole different ballgame."

The Hornets led by six early in a back-and-forth third that ended in a 70-all tie. Gasol scored six straight points to pull the Lakers into the first tie of the quarter. Davis picked up his fourth foul for the Hornets, and Howard got called for his fourth late in the third.

Jamison and Bryant hit back-to-back 3-pointers for the Lakers only to have Brian Roberts tie it up on a running finger roll.

The Lakers led by 10 points in the second quarter when the Hornets closed on a 17-2 run, including 14 in a row, to lead 50-45 at the break. Gordon scored 13 of their points, including the first six.

NOTES: Lakers F Earl Clark was in a car accident after morning shootaround, but he wasn't hurt and didn't want to discuss it before the game. ... The Lakers have swept the last three season series with the Hornets, and have won the last five season series overall. ... The Lakers play at Portland on Wednesday. They are 5-10 in the second game of back-to-backs this season, and have yet to go 2-0 in a set of back-to-backs. ... The Hornets are 1-3 on their five-game Western trip that ends on Wednesday at Sacramento. ... Lakers G Steve Nash missed his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury. ... Former Laker Gary Payton, who made the basketball Hall of Fame this week, attended the game.

Copyright 2013 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

Notebook: Lakers 104, Hornets 96

Dan Arritt, for NBA.com
Posted Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:03 AM - Updated Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:03 AM

THE FACTS: The Lakers had no choice but to find a way to win Tuesday night. Clinging to their playoff hopes by a thread in the home stretch of a season that promised so much more last fall, Kobe Bryant once again dug deep into his reserve tank and scored 23 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Lakers to a 104-96 victory that lifted them back into eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

THE STAT: Many probably thought they'd seen the best Bryant has to offer in a fourth quarter when these teams met March 6 in New Orleans. Bryant scored 18 points in the final quarter of that game to help the Lakers rally back from a 25-point hole. But he outdid himself again Tuesday night, shooting 7-for-11 in the final 12 minutes while again lifting the Lakers onto his shoulders. Bryant also joined LeBron James as the only players in the last two years with at least 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals in a game.

QUOTABLE: "You couldn't even put Saran Wrap on him."

-- Hornets coach Monty Williams on guarding Bryant in the final quarter

TURNING POINT: Bryant scored L.A.'s first 14 points of the fourth quarter but it still wasn't enough to shake the pesky Hornets, who calmly tied the score at 84 on a basket by Anthony Davis with 6:01 left. Antawn Jamison then stepped up and scored five unanswered points for the Lakers. Bryant made four straight free throws to push the lead to eight with 2:35 left and New Orleans was out of comebacks, failing to get any closer than five the rest of the way.

HOT: Lost in the flurry of Bryant's fourth quarter were excellent games from L.A.'s big men. Pau Gasol had 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots, his third double-double in the last four games and his highest-scoring effort since Feb. 3. Dwight Howard added 19 points on 9-for-13 shooting and picked up two of his team's eight blocked shots. Hornets points guard Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and 11 assists, the 30th time this season he has reached double digits in assists after reaching that mark just six times last season.

QUOTABLE III: "When the bigs are doing their thing in the paint and [Bryant] is hitting his shots, it makes it tough."

-- Howard

NOT: Earl Clark's days as a starter were probably numbered anyway with the return Tuesday of Metta World Peace, who missed six games after undergoing knee surgery, but Clark didn't help his cause by going scoreless in 25 minutes, missing all three of his field-goal attempts. World Peace, who had surgery 12 days earlier, came off the bench in his return and managed four points in 15 minutes.

GOOD MOVE: The Lakers had just stretched their lead to 91-86 on two free throws by Bryant with just over three minutes remaining when they suddenly took their time bringing the ball up court. Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, seeing the shot clock wind down to 17 seconds, called timeout before L.A. was whistled for an eight-second violation. That allowed the Lakers to regroup and resume pulling away from the Hornets.

BAD MOVE: The Lakers have a tough game awaiting them in Portland on Wednesday night and New Orleans entered the game 15th in the West. They couldn't shake the Hornets, however, forcing Bryant to play 42 minutes and Gasol to play 39, the kind of strain that can come back to haunt veteran players in the second game of a back-to-back.

NOTABLE: The Lakers have not won games on consecutive days this season, something they've accomplished every other season in franchise history. .... Eighth place in the West is the final playoff spot that has yet to be clinched. ... Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson sat across from the Lakers' bench. ... With point guard Steve Nash missing his fourth straight game with hip and hamstring injuries, all five starters for the Lakers stepped up with at least four assists.

UP NEXT: For the Lakers, Wednesday @ Portland, Friday vs. Golden State, Sunday vs. San Antonio. For the Hornets, Wednesday @ Sacramento, Friday vs. Clippers, Sunday vs. Dallas.

• Hornets: Rivers, Smith
• Lakers: Hill

• Hornets: Henry
• Lakers: World Peace

• Lead Changes: 20
• Times Tied: 14

• Arena: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #44 Eli Roe
• Attendance: 18997
• Duration: 2:20

New Orleans Hornets (27-51)		Los Angeles Lakers (41-37)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Howard vs Lopez (Blake gains possession)
	11:38 [LAL 2-0]	Howard Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Clark (1 AST)
Davis Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (1 BLK)	11:21
Team Rebound	11:21
Davis Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Aminu (1 AST)	11:17 [NOH 2-2]
	11:03	Blake Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Vasquez Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:51 [NOH 4-2]
	10:36	Clark 3pt Shot: Missed
Vasquez Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:34
Aminu Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (1 AST)	10:31 [NOH 6-2]
	10:13	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Aminu Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:12
Gordon Foul: Offensive Charge (1 PF)	10:10
Gordon Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	10:10
	09:57 [LAL 4-6]	Gasol Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Bryant (1 AST)
Gordon 3pt Shot: Missed	09:29
	09:28	Gasol Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:11 [LAL 7-6]	Blake 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Bryant (2 AST)
	09:04	Clark Foul: Personal Block (1 PF)
	08:57	Clark Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	08:57 [NOH 7-7]
	08:57	Clark Substitution replaced by World Peace
Gordon Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	08:57 [NOH 8-7]
	08:42 [LAL 9-8]	Howard Reverse Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: World Peace (1 AST)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Gordon (1 AST)	08:25 [NOH 11-9]
	08:05	Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (1 BLK)
	08:03	Gasol Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	08:03	Gasol Layup Shot: Missed
	08:03	Gasol Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
	08:03	Gasol Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (2 BLK)
	08:03	Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
Vasquez Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	08:03
	08:03 [LAL 10-11]	Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	08:03 [LAL 11-11]	Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Lopez Jump Hook Shot: Missed	07:45
	07:42	Howard Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:33	Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Gordon (1 ST)
Gordon Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	07:29
	07:13	Bryant Turnaround Fadeaway shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:11
	07:04	Howard Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	07:04 [NOH 12-11]
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	07:04 [NOH 13-11]
	06:44	Gasol Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Lopez (1 ST)
Gordon 3pt Shot: Missed	06:37
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:35
Davis Hook Shot: Missed	06:33
Gordon Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	06:30
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	06:23
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	06:19
Lopez Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:17 [NOH 15-11]
	06:06 [LAL 13-15]	Gasol Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Howard (1 AST)
Gordon Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)	06:06
Gordon Substitution replaced by Miller	06:06
	06:06	Gasol Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:02
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	05:47
	05:46	Howard Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:40	World Peace Layup Shot: Missed
	05:37	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	05:37 [LAL 15-15]	Bryant Putback Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Davis Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (2 AST)	05:20 [NOH 17-15]
	05:04	Blake 3pt Shot: Missed
Aminu Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:03
Lopez Jump Hook Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (3 AST)	04:51 [NOH 19-15]
	04:51	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:51	Gasol Substitution replaced by Jamison
	04:51	Blake Substitution replaced by Meeks
Lopez Foul: Personal (1 PF)	04:39
	04:31	Jamison Layup Shot: Missed
	04:28	Howard Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	04:28 [LAL 17-19]	Howard Tip Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	04:13
	04:11	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	04:07 [LAL 19-19]	Howard Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Bryant (3 AST)
Davis Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	04:07
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	04:07
	04:07 [LAL 20-19]	Howard Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)
Aminu Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (4 AST)	03:48 [NOH 21-20]
	03:24 [LAL 23-21]	World Peace 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Howard (2 AST)
Lopez Foul: Offensive (2 PF)	03:04
Lopez Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	03:04
Lopez Substitution replaced by Amundson	03:04
Vasquez Substitution replaced by Roberts	03:04
	02:50	World Peace 3pt Shot: Missed
Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	02:49
	02:35	Howard Foul: Defense 3 Second (1 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:35
	02:35	Howard Substitution replaced by Gasol
Anderson Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)	02:35 [NOH 22-23]
Miller Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (1 ST)	02:23
Aminu Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	02:12
	02:12 [LAL 24-22]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
Aminu Substitution replaced by Henry	02:12
	02:12 [LAL 25-22]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Anderson Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (2 BLK)	02:08
Anderson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	02:08
Roberts 3pt Shot: Missed	01:47
	01:46	Meeks Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	01:38	Jamison Jump Shot: Missed
Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:37
Henry Jump Shot: Missed	01:26
Amundson Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	01:23
Anderson Hook Bank Shot: Missed	01:11
Team Rebound	01:11
Miller Substitution replaced by Davis	01:11
	01:11	World Peace Substitution replaced by Blake
Roberts Jump Shot: Missed	00:44.9
	00:43.6	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:43.6	Bryant Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
Roberts Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Jamison (1 ST)	00:27.9
	00:25.1 [LAL 27-22]	Meeks Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	00:08.0	Blake Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Henry Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	00:02.7
Henry Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	00:02.7
	00:00.5	Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Davis (1 BLK)
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (27-51)		Los Angeles Lakers (41-37)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Amundson Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Anderson (1 AST)	11:37 [NOH 24-27]
	11:24 [LAL 30-24]	Jamison 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Blake (1 AST)
Anderson Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	10:57
Amundson Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	10:56
Amundson Tip Shot: Missed	10:56
	10:52	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:44	Jamison 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	10:42
Roberts Jump Shot: Missed Block: Blake (1 BLK)	10:36
	10:34	Meeks Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:31	Meeks Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Amundson Jump Shot: Missed	10:17
	10:15	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:08	Meeks Jump Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	10:06
Anderson 3pt Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Roberts (1 AST)	09:59 [NOH 27-30]
	09:41	Clark Jump Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	09:39
Roberts Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:32 [NOH 29-30]
	09:32	Team Timeout : Regular
	09:32	Jamison Substitution replaced by Howard
Amundson Substitution replaced by Lopez	09:32
	09:22 [LAL 32-29]	Howard Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Gasol (1 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	09:03
	09:01	Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:50 [LAL 34-29]	Meeks Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Howard (3 AST)
Roberts Substitution replaced by Vasquez	08:32
Anderson Substitution replaced by Gordon	08:32
Davis Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	08:22 [NOH 31-34]
	07:55 [LAL 36-31]	Gasol Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Blake (2 AST)
Henry Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:44 [NOH 33-36]
	07:25 [LAL 39-33]	Meeks 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Howard (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:23
Lopez Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)	07:09
	06:52	Howard Layup Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	06:51
Gordon Layup Shot: Missed Block: Howard (1 BLK)	06:44
	06:40	Clark Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:36 [LAL 41-33]	Meeks Pullup Jump shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Blake (3 AST)
Vasquez Layup Shot: Missed	06:10
	06:09	Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	05:56 [LAL 43-33]	Gasol Jump Hook Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Gordon Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (5 AST)	05:38 [NOH 35-43]
	05:20	Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed
Vasquez Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:18
	05:06	Clark Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	05:06 [NOH 36-43]
	05:06	Gasol Substitution replaced by Bryant
	05:06	Clark Substitution replaced by Jamison
Gordon Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	05:06 [NOH 37-43]
	04:45	Howard Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	04:41
Gordon Step Back Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)	04:30 [NOH 39-43]
	04:13	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
	04:11	Meeks Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	04:06	Bryant Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Davis (1 ST)
Gordon 3pt Shot: Missed	03:59
	03:55	Jamison Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	03:41	Howard Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Davis (2 ST)
Vasquez Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)	03:27 [NOH 41-43]
Henry Foul: Personal (2 PF)	03:10
	03:04	Blake 3pt Shot: Missed
	03:03	Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	03:01	Jamison Layup Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	02:59
Gordon Driving Layup Shot: Missed	02:52
	02:49	Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	02:37	Jamison 3pt Shot: Missed
Gordon Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	02:35
Gordon Fadeaway Bank shot: Made (10 PTS)	02:22 [NOH 43-43]
	02:11	Team Timeout : Short
	02:11
	02:11	Jamison Substitution replaced by Gasol
	01:59	Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)	01:58
	01:45	Meeks Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Lopez Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Gordon (2 AST)	01:37 [NOH 45-43]
	01:21	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	01:19
Gordon Jump Bank Shot: Made (12 PTS)	01:03 [NOH 47-43]
	00:46.9	Howard Hook Shot: Missed
	00:45.0	Howard Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	00:45.0	Howard Foul: Offensive (2 PF)
	00:45.0	Howard Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Vasquez Floating Jump shot: Missed	00:32.9
	00:29.7	Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:18.5 [LAL 45-47]	Gasol Jump Bank Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Gordon Floating Jump shot: Made (14 PTS)	00:03.2 [NOH 49-45]
	00:03.2	Meeks Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)
Lopez Substitution replaced by Amundson	00:03.2
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 1 (15 PTS)	00:03.2 [NOH 50-45]
	00:00.9	Gasol Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Henry (1 ST)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.1
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (27-51)		Los Angeles Lakers (41-37)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Davis Driving Layup Shot: Missed	11:40
Aminu Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	11:37
Aminu Layup Shot: Missed	11:37
	11:35	Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
	11:26	Bryant Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:10)	11:20
	11:20	Clark Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)	11:20 [NOH 51-45]
	11:20	Clark Substitution replaced by World Peace
Gordon Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	11:20
	11:17	Howard Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	11:05	Howard Layup Shot: Missed
Aminu Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	11:03
Davis Dunk Shot: Missed Block: Gasol (3 BLK)	10:53
	10:49	Howard Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	10:42	Jump Ball Bryant vs Gordon (Blake gains possession)
	10:29 [LAL 47-51]	Blake Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Bryant (4 AST)
Lopez Driving Jump shot: Missed	10:07
	10:03	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	09:47	Bryant Turnover : Traveling (4 TO)
Vasquez Floating Jump shot: Made (9 PTS)	09:30 [NOH 53-47]
	09:15 [LAL 49-53]	Gasol Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Blake (4 AST)
Vasquez Running Hook Shot: Missed	08:54
	08:50	Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)
	08:35 [LAL 51-53]	Gasol Running Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Bryant (5 AST)
Gordon Jump Shot: Missed	08:24
	08:22	Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:16 [LAL 53-53]	Gasol Running Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Blake (5 AST)
Aminu Jump Shot: Missed	07:49
	07:48	Gasol Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
Davis Foul: Personal (2 PF)	07:42
Aminu Substitution replaced by Henry	07:42
	07:27	Gasol Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:23
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	07:19
	07:18	Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Davis Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	07:06
Team Timeout : Regular	07:06
	07:06	World Peace Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	07:06	Team Rebound
	07:06 [LAL 54-53]	World Peace Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Henry Running Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (6 AST)	06:52 [NOH 55-54]
Henry Foul: Personal (3 PF)	06:39
	06:39	Double Technical - World Peace, Henry
	06:25 [LAL 56-55]	Gasol Floating Jump shot: Made (20 PTS)
Gordon Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Blake (1 ST)	06:11
Davis Foul: Personal (4 PF)	06:02
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	06:02
	05:53 [LAL 58-55]	Howard Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Gasol (2 AST)
	05:36	Bryant Foul: Personal (1 PF)
	05:31	Howard Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	05:31 [NOH 56-58]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	05:31 [NOH 57-58]
	05:14	Gasol Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Henry Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:10
Anderson 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (7 AST)	05:04 [NOH 60-58]
	05:01	Gasol Substitution replaced by Jamison
	04:50 [LAL 60-60]	Jamison Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Blake (6 AST)
Anderson Layup Shot: Missed Block: Howard (2 BLK)	04:28
Team Rebound	04:28
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed	04:24
Team Rebound	04:24
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	04:24
	04:09 [LAL 62-60]	Blake Pullup Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)
	04:05	Blake Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	04:05	World Peace Substitution replaced by Meeks
Anderson Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Bryant (2 ST)	03:55
	03:47	Jamison Layup Shot: Missed Block: Henry (1 BLK)
Henry Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:43
Vasquez Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Henry (1 AST)	03:39 [NOH 62-62]
	03:14	Meeks 3pt Shot: Missed
Vasquez Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	03:12
Lopez Slam Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (8 AST)	03:09 [NOH 64-62]
	02:47 [LAL 64-64]	Howard Running Bank Hook Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	02:28
	02:26	Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
Lopez Foul: Personal (3 PF) (2 FTA)	02:13
	02:13	Howard Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:13	Team Rebound
Gordon Substitution replaced by Roberts	02:13
	02:13	Howard Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	02:11
Roberts 3pt Shot: Missed	01:55
Team Rebound	01:54
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	01:41
	01:39	Blake Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:35	Howard Foul: Offensive (4 PF)
	01:35	Howard Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
	01:35	Howard Substitution replaced by Gasol
	01:35	Blake Substitution replaced by Clark
Lopez Substitution replaced by Amundson	01:35
Anderson Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (9 AST)	01:17 [NOH 66-64]
	01:03 [LAL 67-66]	Jamison 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Clark (2 AST)
Henry Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (10 AST)	00:46.9 [NOH 68-67]
	00:30.0 [LAL 70-68]	Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Clark (3 AST)
Roberts Running Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Anderson (2 AST)	00:11.7 [NOH 70-70]
	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (27-51)		Los Angeles Lakers (41-37)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:45 [LAL 72-70]	Bryant Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Gasol (3 AST)
Anderson Layup Shot: Missed Block: Clark (1 BLK)	11:19
	11:17	Jamison Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
	11:12 [LAL 75-70]	Bryant 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	10:52
	10:51	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	10:40 [LAL 77-70]	Bryant Pullup Jump shot: Made (14 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	10:39
Amundson Substitution replaced by Davis	10:39
Anderson Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)	10:19 [NOH 72-77]
	09:55	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:54	Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)
	09:48	Bryant Turnover : Lost Ball (5 TO) Steal:Davis (3 ST)
	09:45	Meeks Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	09:45 [NOH 73-77]
Vasquez Substitution replaced by Miller	09:45
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	09:45 [NOH 74-77]
	09:23 [LAL 79-74]	Bryant Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Roberts Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Davis (2 AST)	09:05 [NOH 76-79]
Miller Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	08:51
	08:51	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	08:51	Team Rebound
	08:51	Meeks Substitution replaced by Blake
Miller Substitution replaced by Gordon	08:51
	08:51 [LAL 80-76]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)
Davis Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Roberts (2 AST)	08:34 [NOH 78-80]
	08:14	Blake 3pt Shot: Missed
Henry Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	08:13
Gordon Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)	08:04 [NOH 80-80]
	08:03	Team Timeout : Regular
	08:03	Gasol Substitution replaced by Howard
Henry Foul: Personal (4 PF)	07:52
	07:43	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:11)	07:40
	07:32	Howard Foul: Shooting (5 PF) (2 FTA)
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)	07:32 [NOH 81-80]
	07:32	Howard Substitution replaced by Gasol
Gordon Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS)	07:32 [NOH 82-80]
Henry Foul: Personal (5 PF)	07:16
	07:05 [LAL 82-82]	Bryant Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS)
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	06:52
	06:51	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	06:33	Clark 3pt Shot: Missed
Henry Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	06:32
Henry Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Bryant (3 ST)	06:30
	06:30	Jump Ball Bryant vs Henry (Jamison gains possession)
	06:17 [LAL 84-82]	Bryant Pullup Jump shot: Made (21 PTS)
Davis Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Roberts (3 AST)	06:02 [NOH 84-84]
	05:46	Jamison Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Henry Substitution replaced by Vasquez	05:46
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	05:27
	05:26	Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:6)
	05:13	Bryant Jump Shot: Missed
	05:13	Team Rebound
Vasquez Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF)	05:13
	05:02 [LAL 86-84]	Jamison Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Clark (4 AST)
Roberts Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	05:02
	05:02 [LAL 87-84]	Jamison Free Throw 1 of 1 (11 PTS)
Roberts 3pt Shot: Missed	04:46
	04:45	Gasol Rebound (Off:4 Def:7)
	04:27 [LAL 89-84]	Jamison Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Gasol (4 AST)
	04:20	Bryant Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)	04:20 [NOH 85-89]
Gordon Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)	04:20 [NOH 86-89]
	04:01	Gasol Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:12)	03:59
Gordon Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Bryant (1 BLK)	03:49
	03:45	Clark Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Gordon Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	03:33
	03:33 [LAL 90-86]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (22 PTS)
	03:33 [LAL 91-86]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (23 PTS)
Vasquez Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Gasol (1 ST)	03:11
	03:10	Team Timeout : Short
	02:52	Blake 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:52	Team Rebound
	02:52	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
	02:52
	02:52	Jamison Substitution replaced by Howard
Gordon Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Bryant (4 ST)	02:38
	02:36 [LAL 93-86]	Bryant Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (25 PTS)
Gordon Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (1 FTA)	02:36
Anderson Substitution replaced by Lopez	02:36
	02:36 [LAL 94-86]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 1 (26 PTS)
Vasquez Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	02:18
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:12)	02:16
Davis Putback Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS)	02:16 [NOH 88-94]
	02:16	Howard Turnover : Inbound Turnover (4 TO)
Lopez Substitution replaced by Anderson	02:16
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	01:53
	01:52	Clark Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Anderson Foul: Personal (1 PF) (2 FTA)	01:38
	01:38 [LAL 95-88]	Gasol Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)
	01:38 [LAL 96-88]	Gasol Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:38
Gordon Turnover : Lost Ball (5 TO) Steal:Bryant (5 ST)	01:29
	01:09	Bryant 3pt Shot: Missed
Gordon Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	01:08
Davis Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Gordon (3 AST)	01:04 [NOH 90-96]
	00:54.9	Gasol Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Davis (4 ST)
Vasquez Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Blake (2 ST)	00:50.9
	00:38.9 [LAL 98-90]	Howard Slam Dunk Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Bryant (6 AST)
Team Timeout : Short	00:38.9
Anderson 3pt Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (11 AST)	00:33.2 [NOH 93-98]
	00:33.2	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:33.2	Clark Substitution replaced by Meeks
Gordon Foul: Personal Take (5 PF) (2 FTA)	00:31.7
	00:31.7 [LAL 99-93]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (27 PTS)
	00:31.7	Meeks Substitution replaced by Clark
	00:31.7 [LAL 100-93]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (28 PTS)
Vasquez Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)	00:26.4
Vasquez Substitution replaced by Henry	00:26.4
	00:18.6 [LAL 102-93]	Howard Slam Dunk Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Clark (5 AST)
Roberts 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS)	00:11.7 [NOH 96-102]
Gordon Foul: Personal (6 PF) (2 FTA)	00:11.1
Gordon Substitution replaced by Miller	00:11.1
	00:11.1 [LAL 103-96]	Bryant Free Throw 1 of 2 (29 PTS)
	00:11.1 [LAL 104-96]	Bryant Free Throw 2 of 2 (30 PTS)
Roberts 3pt Shot: Missed	00:04.8
Team Rebound	00:04.4
Miller 3pt Shot: Missed	00:01.9
	00:00.0	Bryant Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
End of 4th Quarter