Lakers push back swarming Hornets
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 31, 2013
The Los Angeles Lakers continued to build on their recent momentum with a 111-106 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday, as the home team staved off a late rally to register a third consecutive victory.
Kobe Bryant dished out 11 assists and Dwight Howard scored 24 points as Los Angeles (20-25), comfortably in control at 98-80 midway through the fourth quarter, almost blew the win when the Hornets put together a 16-2 run in the closing stages.
New Orleans pulled to within 102-101 in the final two minutes before Bryant found Earl Clark for a score and Steve Nash calmly sank a three-pointer to open up some breathing room.
After a well-publicized team meeting to address the group's struggles last week, the Lakers appear to have found a new lease of life.
Flourishing in his new role as lead facilitator, Bryant has racked up 39 assists during the winning streak while Pau Gasol is thriving as a reserve. "People forget Magic (Johnson) was my first idol," Bryant told reporters after finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds to flirt with a triple-double.
"I tried to do everything he could do and then I realized my growth spurt stopped at 6ft-5in."
Elsewhere in the National Basketball Association on Tuesday, it was: Warriors 108, Cavaliers 95; Bucks 117, Pistons 90; and Trail Blazers 106, Mavericks 104.
In Los Angeles, Eric Gordon top-scored for the Hornets with 25 points while Greivis Vasquez added 15 points and 15 assists as New Orleans (15-30) lost for the third time in four games.
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