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Bryant, Paul face off again in crucial Western Conference battle

Dec 23, 2008 - 11:15 AM LA Lakers (22-5) at New Orleans (16-7), 8:00pm EST

NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- The NBA's top two MVP candidates from last season square off for the second time this season as Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers take to the road to duel Chris Paul's New Orleans Hornets.

Bryant edged Paul for the honor in 2007-08, but the two should once again be battling for the league's top individual honor come season's end. And, if current trends continue, they will be suiting up in the backcourt together at February's All-Star Game.

But first things first. The Hornets are looking to extend their winning streak to five games - but will have to do so against a team that already handled them in the teams' first meeting. In a November 12 matchup at New Orleans Arena, Paul won the individual battle with Kobe - registering 30 points and 13 assists to Bryant's 20 and six - but the Hornets fell, 93-86. Los Angeles led from wire to wire, leading by as many as 23.

The Lakers - who were still undefeated last time they faced New Orleans - have begun to show a bit more vulnerability. They lost two straight last week, dropping nailbiters to the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. That skid nearly extend to three on Monday, as they had to rally from behind with a 17-3 run to defeat the lowly Memphis Grizzlies.

Bryant scored 36 points to lead the way and is averaging 38.5 over his last two games.