NEW ORLEANS, (Reuters) – All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combined to score 66 points and lead the twice defending NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-95 win against the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday.
The Lakers squandered a 14-point lead in the third quarter but fought back in the last four minutes of the game, outscoring the Hornets 9-3 in that span to secure the road victory.
“We shot the ball well and you always have to have that kind of a game to win, especially on the road,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. “The other thing we did was control the pace.”
The Hornets trailed from the opening basket until Chris Paul drained a three-point shot as time expired in the third quarter to put the home team ahead 82-81.
Spanish centre Gasol scored a season-high 34 points and Bryant added 32, including a key three-pointer with 3:20 remaining to give the Lakers the lead for good.
Paul led the Hornets with 21 points, Delonte West added 16 and the Hornets bench scored 39 points including 14 by Marcus Thornton.
The Lakers enjoyed a huge advantage at the foul line, converting 23 of 27 opportunities while the Hornets had just four free throws.
“For a game to be that physical and we only get four free throws, I just don’t understand,” said Hornets coach Monty Williams. “Guys are just competing their butts off and I thought we deserved a little bit more whatever you want to call it. We should have gotten to the line more tonight.”
