Kobe Slams Hornets, Lakers Lead 3-2

Kobe Bryant slams it home over Emeka Okafor
(Photo Credit to Harry How/Getty Images)

The Lakers weathered the storm early, surviving a first quarter that saw New Orleans go 13 for 16 from the field and Chris Paul dishing out 8 assists. New Orleans looked to be in control of the game, leading by 9 points after the first quarter, but the second quarter was Kobe time.

Bryant went off for 12 of his team high 19 points in the second quarter, including a thunderous dunk over Emeka Okafor, which seemed to answer any questions about the superstar's health. The Lakers lead by 3 at the break and never looked back, outscoring the Hornets 52-39 in the second half in which the visitors only managed 36% from the field.

Los Angeles withstood New Orleans' torrid shooting in the first half by amassing  22 second chance points to the Hornets 2 and also dominated the paint 42-30 against the undersized New Orleans front line. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum came up huge for the hometown squad combining for 34 points and 18 boards, 7 of them on the offensive end.

The Lakers had 6 players in double figures, lead by Bryant's 19. Bynum added 18 and Gasol, 16 as the Lakers made a concerted effort to establish a low post game against a New Orleans team who is desperately missing David West, lost late in the regular season to a torn ACL.

The Hornets had 3 players in double figures, with former Laker Trevor Ariza pouring in 22 points, shooting 5 of 8 from three. Chris Paul continued his exceptional series, with 12 assists and 20 points in a losing effort. The Hornets need to regroup and find a way to contain Los Angeles' inside game if they hope to push the series to 7 games.

Not many expected New Orleans to put up such a fight after losing All Star caliber David West, but they managed to take one in the Staples Center to open the series and with one more win, can cause a one game playoff with the defending champions. Game 6 is back in New Orleans as the Hornets try to avoid elimination. If tonight was any indicator, it could be a long summer for Hornets' fans.

Previewing L.A. Lakers Vs. N.O. Hornets

The Lakers and Hornets get back to work tonight at the Staples Center for game 5 of their series. The Lakers looked to take a stranglehold on the series in New Orleans two nights ago, but ran into a buzz saw as Chris Paul went off for a triple double, compiling 27 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists; carrying the Hornets to a game 4 victory to even the series at 2 a piece.

Sunday night brought a nip and tuck affair with neither team stretching their lead to double digits at any point during the game. Both teams shot respectably well from the field despite both squads being cold from three point land.

Points of interest tonight include whether or not CP3 can don the superman cape once more and put this team on his back, Kobe's ankle, and Trevor Ariza's D on Kobe down the stretch.

Ariza, a former Laker has limited Bryant to 3 of 11 shooting in the 4th quarter this series, an area where the "Black Mamba" is usually most deadly.

Also factored into tonight's tilt is Kobe's ankle. With 1:33 remaining in the 4th Kobe went down with a sprained ankle, playing on defense and it will be interesting to see if he can play at the level of intensity the Lakers need him to bring. The sprain doesn't seem serious but this is one of those instances where we'll see the opportunity for a great athlete to rise above physical limitations to do something special.

All in all tonight should be an interesting game, if the Hornets can steal one in Los Angeles, you have to like their chances to close out the series in New Orleans in front of their home crowd Thursday night.