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Lakers, Hornets square off at the Hive

Feb 5, 2011 - 4:01 PM (Sports Network) - Coming off a tough last-second loss to the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs, the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers will try to suppress their recent woes tonight in the opener of a seven-game road trip against the New Orleans Hornets in the Big Easy.

Los Angeles is 15-8 as the visitor this season and will also visit the Grizzlies, Celtics, Knicks, Magic, Bobcats and Cavaliers on the trip. It is coming off Thursday's 89-88 loss to the Spurs in which Antonio McDyess' putback off a Tim Duncan missed jumper just beat the buzzer and sent the Lakers to their third loss in four tries.

Pau Gasol led LA with 19 points and Kobe Bryant added 16, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a losing effort. The Lakers shot 43 percent from the floor and had an 88-87 lead with 22.7 seconds left in the game after two Gasol free throws.

"Too many opportunities at the end of the game. They had four attempts. It cost us," said Lakers head coach Phil Jackson.

The Lakers are still alone in the Pacific Division, but lately have been a lightning rod to criticism. They are 5-5 in the last 10 games and got 16 points from Lamar Odom in the recent setback. Center Andrew Bynum returned to the floor after missing Tuesday's game against Houston with a bone bruise in his left knee. He had 10 points, 10 boards and a career-high six assists.

Meanwhile, the Hornets will shoot for their seventh straight win at home tonight in the opener of a quick residency versus the Lakers and Timberwolves. New Orleans is an impressive 20-5 on the bayou this season.

New Orleans has lost three of four games since a season-high 10-game winning streak and sustained a 104-93 loss to the Thunder the last time out on Wednesday in Oklahoma City. Kevin Durant stung the Hornets for 43 points, while David West finished with 20 points and 15 boards for the guests.

Chris Paul played through a sprained left ankle and tallied 15 points and five assists. Paul, who is listed as probable for tonight's game, was voted by fans as a starting guard for the 2011 NBA Western Conference All-Star squad.

"It seemed like we couldn't defend anyone but then again Durant just had one of those nights," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "I thought a couple of our guys started hanging their heads when he hit some of those shots."

Jason Smith, who's been starting for injured center Emeka Okafor, delivered six points and four rebounds in defeat. He'll be making his seventh start of his career and fourth this season tonight.

The Hornets have won 899 games as a franchise and need one more for the 900th victory in team history. They are 18-1 when holding opponents under 100 points at home this season.

LA has beaten New Orleans twice this season and has won five of the last six matchups between the teams. The Lakers have won seven of 11 and 12 of their last 17 contests in the Big Easy.