Lakers Squash the Hornets

Operating like a well-oiled machine (for three quarters), the Los Angeles Lakers handedly defeated the New Orleans Hornets, 110-99 at Staples Center. The Lakers had their way with the undermanned Hornets, scorching them on 52.1% field goal accuracy. Andrew Bynum (21 points on 9-10, 9 rebounds, 3 assists) led the way while Kobe Bryant (18 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals) and Pau Gasol (14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists) provided sufficient scoring balance. Derek Fisher (7 points, 7 assists, 5 steals, 2 rebounds) and Ron Artest (16 points on 6-8) cleaned up on everything else in sight while Jordan Farmar (10 points, 2 steals, 2 rebounds) continued his spirited play to lead the Bench Mob. Lamar Odom (8 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) again proved he is the necessary ballast that had been missing while Gasol was out of action. A 21-4 run in the second period all but put the icing on the cake as the Hornets managed only 15 points in the quarter. The Lakers went into halftime with a 63-43 lead, and a large enough cushion to coast the rest of the game. A furious rally by the Hornets in the 4th provided the only drama of the night as free tacos hung in the balance. But in the end, the Lakers and the tacos prevailed.

Former UCLA standout Darren Collison, starting in place of the injured Chris Paul, led the Hornets with 20 points and 5 assists followed by Emeka Okafor (17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals). But the Hornets got little help from anyone else as they dropped to 7-11 for the season. The league-leading Lakers pushed their record to 14-3, half a game ahead of Phoenix, Orlando and Boston, all 14-4. This was the Lakers seventh consecutive victory while holding their opponent under 100 points.