Lakers Lose Odom, Then Lose to Hornets

By BRETT POLLAKOFF

Updated 4:48 AM PST, Wed, Jan 7, 2009

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Perhaps the Lakers came into Tuesday's game against the Hornets a little too overconfident, and maybe with good reason. Besides the fact that they were riding a six game win streak and had the best record in the league, they had beaten the Hornets twice this season rather easily, and both times they did so in New Orleans. But the Hornets came out firing, and by the time the Lakers had turned things around in their favor, New Orleans had built enough confidence of their own to hold off L.A.'s run and get the win, 116-105.

In the first two meetings between the teams this season, the Lakers held 19 and 21-point halftime leads. The Hornets wouldn't allow such a start this time however, and jumped out to a 61-56 halftime lead of their own. The Lakers waited until the third quarter to make their move, and when they did, it was a big one -- led of course by Kobe Bryant.

Kobe had 20 points in the third quarter alone (he finished with 39), and helped his team turn the five point halftime deficit into a three point lead when it was over. It was one of those performances when Kobe was unstoppable, but fatigue and poor shot selection set in during the fourth quarter, and that's when the Hornets were able to fight back and seal the victory.

New Orleans was rewarded for attacking on the offensive end repeatedly by getting good looks inside or a ton of free throw attempts -- they finished with 37 to the Lakers' 22. The Lakers on the other hand launched three-pointer after three-pointer, and even though they shot a more-than-respectable 47% from downtown, 34 threes is too many to be shooting in a close game when the other team keeps going inside. Especially when you only hit 3-of-11 in the deciding period.

David West finished with a career high 40 points to go with his 11 rebounds, and Chris Paul did his thing by finishing with 32 points and 15 assists.

The Lakers lost Lamar Odom in the second quarter with a hyperextended knee, and he has an MRI scheduled for Wednesday to check the extent of the damage. Already without Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton, the Lakers can ill-afford to lose Odom for any stretch of time -- especially with their schedule getting a whole lot tougher next week.