Lakers 88, Hornets 85
LAKERS 88, HORNETS 85: Kobe Bryant scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter and Pau Gasol had a big game as host Los Angeles came from 10 points down in the fourth quarter.
Gasol collected 21 points and 11 rebounds and blocked a desperation attempt at the buzzer for the Lakers, who remained one game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific Division.
The Hornets led 85-80 with 2:15 left but could not hold off Bryant. Andrew Bynum’s dunk cut it to a one-possession game and Bryant split a pair of free throws to make it 85-83 with less than a minute remaining.
After a New Orleans miss, Bryant got the ball on the right wing and buried a 3-pointer with 20 seconds on the clock to give Los Angeles the lead back.
Bryant went 0 for 7 in the first half and 0 for 8 in the third quarter as the Hornets pulled ahead. Greivis Vasquez hit two straight baskets as New Orleans closed the third with a 6-0 spurt to take a 67-61 lead into the fourth.
The advantage would reach double figures early in the frame before Bryant woke up. The All-Star guard made his first field goal with 7:30 left in the game, beginning a stretch of five straight points for Bryant.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Bryant finished 3 for 21 from the field, including 1 for 8 from 3-point range. … Jarrett Jack scored 18 points to lead New Orleans, which dressed only eight players. … The Lakers recorded 28 assists on 32 field goals.