Lakers vs. Hornets: L.A. routs New Orleans

The Lakers went to work in the third quarter, blowing by the New Orleans Hornets in opening a 27-point lead.

The Lakers coasted from there, winnnig, 104-88, over on Sunday night at Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 28 points.

DJ Mbenga had a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Shannon Brown came off the bench to score 15 points for the Lakers.

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So the New Orleans Hornets came out in the third quarter and double teammed Kobe Bryant every time he touched the basketball, apparently with the intent of making the other Lakers beat them.

Bryant had torched the Hornets for 26 points in the first half, having his way with them, missing only six of his 16 shots.

Well, it didn't work out. The Lakers poured it on the Hornets, opening a 27-point lead in the third en route to an 82-58 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Lakers opened the quarter with a 17-3 run for a 72-45 lead.

The Lakers' defense held the Hornets without a field goal until there was 3:31 left. The Hornets missed their first 10 shots in the third.

Bryant didn't score in the third, missing his only three shots.

Lakers reserve Shannon Brown came up big in the third for the Lakers, scoring 13 points on five-for-seven shooting.

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For a moment in the second quarter, the Lakers went to sleep against the New Orleans Hornets.

They looked content in building a 17-point lead. That lead was cut to 10 points later in the second.

But the Lakers picked it back up, opening a 55-42 halftime lead.

They finished the second quarter with Derek Fisher making a three-pointer just before the half-time buzzer sounded.

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He has been putting on an offensive show for a little more than a week now, and nothing changed Sunday night.

Kobe Bryant went right back to work on the New Orleans Hornets, scoring 14 points in the first quarter, helping the Lakers open a 27-17 lead at the end of the quarter.

Bryant was six-for-10 shooting from the field, doing most of his work in the post.

The rest of the Lakers followed his lead, as the team shot 50% from the field in the first quarter.

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DJ Mbenga starts his second consecutive game at center for the Lakers because Andrew Bynum is out with a strained right elbow.

The Lakers feel as if Mbenga is a strong enough physical presence to be a good defender and good rebounder.

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said Mbenga is also one of the team's better shooters.

That's why they don't mind him winding up and shooting jumpers.

Mbenga is getting over a hip flexor that slowed him down during training camp.

-- Broderick Turner

Photo: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to drive past Hornets guard Devin Brown in the first quarter Sunday evening at Staples Center. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Hoopalo]

Why do the Lakers not have Kareem work with Mbenga ?

[Gold]

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