Hornetts 108 - Lakers 98

What a shocker! As Laker fans are looking forward to Sundays game when the Lakers will break the Houston Rockets winning streak we all forgot about the New Orleans Hornets. You remember them don't you? They are quietly one of the top teams in the Western Conference and have this guy named Chris Paul who is making a big name for himself. Remembering or not, the Hornets didn't care as they picked up a real confidence booster for themselves as they beat the Lakers 108 -98 in front of their home crowd.

The Lakers looked good in the first half and held a first half lead 49 -46 with Kobe leading the way with 14 points. Pau Gasol suffered a sprained left ankle in the opening period and did not return, this changed the whole game around. Gasol was later on crutches because he did not want to put any weight on it. What a blow this is! Hopefully it is not serious and he can be back for Sundays game. In the third quarter though the Lakers feel behind. The Hornets opened up the quarter going on a big scoring spurt but the Lakers were able to catch up and tie the game at 65 a piece. The Lakers trailed by eight points heading into the final quarter as they were down by a socre of 80 -72. For some reason Kobe rested a lot in the fourth quarter, don't know if he was tired or what the case was but the Hornets were able to capitalize in the fourth and pull away and had built their lead to 15 points with 5:30 left in regulation.

Chris Paul had an excellent game as he had 27 points and 17 assist. Tyson Chandler had 14 points and pulled down 20 rebounds. The Hornets may have had revenge on their mind because when they played the Lakers earlier this season the Lakers embarrassed them in their home court by beating them 109 -80.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 36 points. Lamar Odom had 15 points and 13 rebounds, 12 of his points were in the first half.