Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers 02/20/09
A little more than a year after a blockbuster trade helped vault them to the top of the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers were mostly content to stick with their talented roster as Thursday's trade deadline passed.
The New Orleans Hornets were among the teams that agreed to a big trade, but it didn't go through - and they may be better off for it.
Tyson Chandler probably won't be in the lineup for the Hornets on Friday night, but his eventual return could give his teammates a boost as they look to become the first opponent to beat the NBA-leading Lakers twice at Staples Center this season.
The deadline was still a few weeks away last season when Los Angeles acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis for two players and two draft picks on Feb. 1, 2008, and the Spanish center did not disappoint, helping the team advance to the NBA finals.
With Gasol's 18.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game complementing another stellar season from Kobe Bryant, the Lakers (44-10) have surged back to the top of the standings. Even though center Andrew Bynum is out for an extensive time with a knee injury for the second straight season, Los Angeles made only minor deals before the deadline as it prepares to chase the franchise's 15th NBA title.
The Lakers haven't needed any help lately, winning nine of their last 10. They opened the second half with victories on back-to-back nights over Atlanta and Golden State , using a late 17-3 run to beat the Warriors 129-121 on Wednesday.
Playing at Golden State 's typical fast pace, Los Angeles had 33 assists - two off its season high.
"We just shared the ball, and every time you play that way, it's rewarding," Lakers center Josh Powell said.
New Orleans point guard Chris Paul is among the league's best at sharing the ball, but Chandler has been the one in the spotlight this week without even playing. The Hornets (32-20) initially traded their center to Oklahoma City for financial reasons, but the Thunder voided the deal when Chandler did not pass his physical due to a toe issue.
Chandler , who has 11 double-doubles in 32 games this season, hasn't played since Jan. 19 because of an ankle injury. Still, New Orleans ' players were happy to hear that the trade fell through, hoping he will solidify the team's front line down the stretch.
"I'm excited to have T.C. back," Paul said. "I think it will give us a huge lift. Hopefully it will bring us closer together. You know, T.C. is family to us, so there won't be any animosity when he comes in here and he understands what's been the goal all along."
With Paul also missing some time due to a groin injury, the Hornets had dropped six of eight going into last weekend's All-Star break. But they won back-to-back games over Oklahoma City and Orlando this week, getting 36 points and 10 assists from Paul in Wednesday night's impressive 117-85 win over the Magic.
"Me and (David West) talked about it before the game last night - if we go down, we've got to go down fighting," Paul said. "Any time you see the rim you've got to shoot it. You can't pass up shots and stuff like that. We just have to be aggressive and see where it takes us."
After losing twice at home to the Lakers earlier this season, the Hornets beat them 116-105 on Jan. 6 at Staples Center . West tied a career-high with 40 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while Paul had 32 points and 15 assists.
The Lakers' 25-4 home record is the West's best.
Hornets vs Lakers News
New Orleans Hornets 118, L.A. Lakers 104
Preview: Hornets Lakers 11/06/07
Hornets 105 Lakers 111 03/23/07
Hornets 113, Lakers 103 01/20/07
New Orleans 105, L.A. Lakers 89 12/06/06
More Articles
Brandon Rush,
Daequan Cook,
Demarcus Cousins,
Dashonte Riley,
Glen Davis,
Javaris Critten,
Joakim Noah,
Kevin Durant
Brought to you by the Super Fan Network.
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 4 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•WCF Game 1 Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 3 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•NBA Finals Game 1 Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 4 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 6 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Rockets vs Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 3 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Playoff Game 1 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Trailblazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Blazers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Preview: Thunder vs. Lakers
•Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Wizards vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Magic vs. Lakers
•Preview: Rockets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pacers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hornets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 6 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 4 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 3 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Finals Game 1 Preview: Celtics vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 4 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 1 Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Game 5 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Jazz vs. Lakers
•Game 3 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Game 2 Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Preview: Kings vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Raptors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Clippers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Suns vs. Lakers
•Preview: Timberwolves vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bobcats vs. Lakers
•Preview: Heat vs. Lakers
•Preview: Hawks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Pistons vs. Lakers
•Preview: Knicks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Mavericks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs. Lakers
•Lakers Head to Seattle Without Injured Bynum
•Preview: Bucks vs. Lakers
•Preview: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: 76ers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Cavaliers vs. Lakers
•Preview: Bulls vs. Lakers
•Preview: Warriors vs. Lakers
•Preview: Spurs vs. Lakers
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 12/05/07
•Preview: Timberwolves vs Lakers 12/04/07
•Preview: Nuggets vs Lakers 11/29/07
•Preview: Sonics vs Lakers 11/27/07
•Spurs vs Lakers Preview 11/13/07
•Preview: New Orleans Hornets at L.A. Lakers
•Lakers vs Rockets Preview 12/12/06
•Lakers vs Spurs Preview 12/10/06
•Lakers Vs Hawks Preview 12/08/06
•Lakers Vs Pacers 12/04/06
•Lakers Vs Clippers Preview 12/02/06
•Lakers vs Jazz Preview 11-30-06
•Lakers vs Bucks preview 11/28/06
•Lakers vs Nets preview 11/26/06
•Lakers vs Jazz preview 11/24/06
•Lakers vs Clippers preview 11/21/06
•Lakers vs Bulls preview 11/18/06
•Lakers Vs Raptors Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Lakers Vs Grizzlies Preview
•Lakers Vs Pistons Preview
•Timberwolves Vs Lakers Preview
•Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs SuperSonics Preview
• Lakers Vs Warriors Preview
• Lakers Vs Suns Preview
Jordan Farmar news:
•Rookie Farmar says he's living Hollywood dream with Lakers
• Grizzlies challenge Farmar
• Stars come out at Camp
• NBA considerations distant memory for pair of eager Cats
Kobe Bryant news:
•Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM
•Kobe Bryant Wins Scoring Title
•Kobe has most popular jersey in USA, China
•Bryant Proves the Best
•Wade beats Bryant for another Skills Challenge win
•Memorabilia Offered by Kobe Bryant and Upper Deck
•Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Suspended
•Why did Kobe change to 24?
•Kobe Bryant: Won't Play This Week
•Kobe Bryant to Collab with Lil Wayne
•Lakers' Kobe Bryant ready for another run as NBA season nears
•Kobe Bryant Dunk Videos
•Kobe Bryant Videos
•Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07 for PlayStation
•Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant Scores the Cover of NBA '07
Los Angeles news:
• Los Angeles news
•Los Angeles Concerts news
• Beckham Signs with Los Angeles Galaxy
• Top 10 Most Valuable NBA Franchise
• 10 Ten things to do in Los Angeles
• Lower back spasms from the court.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Restaurants.
• Top 10 Los Angeles Experiences
Staples Center news:
•Get up to the minute Los Angeles Concert tour news
•Garth Brooks To Play Staples Center Benefit Shows For Fire Victims
•Bon Jovi Staples Center
•Van Halen Staples Center Dec 14th
•Wild try to continue hot start in LA
•Hyundai Returns to X Games 13 Rally Car Racing
• Rumorville Eric Clapton to play the Staples Center
• Grady Brewer wins 'Contender 2' in a split decision over Steve Forbes
• Cirque comes the LA Staples Center
Phil Jackson news:
• Lakers coach Jackson fined US$25,000
• Phil Jackson to have hip surgery
|