Lakers 101, Hornets 95
Kobe Bryant collected 32 points, nine rebounds and five assists while Pau Gasol added 34 points and 10 boards as the Los Angeles Lakers grabbed a 101-95 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.
Andrew Bynum chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers, who had dropped three of four and were beginning a seven-game road trip.
Chris Paul tied it at 92-92 with a jumper but Bryant came right back with a deep 3-pointer with 3:19 left and Lamar Odom tipped in a basket to keep the Lakers clear.
After allowing the Hornets to go off for 32 points in the third, Los Angeles clamped down in the fourth, allowing only 13 points - including just three over the final 3:43.
Marcus Thronton’s 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer pulled the Hornets within 56-50 at the break. The Lakers would push it back to double digits early in the third but New Orleans got three 3-pointers in the final minutes - the last two from Paul - to cut it down to 82-81 heading into the fourth.
Paul finished with 21 points and 15 assists and David West added 16 points and 12 boards for the Hornets, who have dropped four of five since winning 10 straight.