A split in Hollywood has set the stage for a pivotal Game 3 in the Big Easy tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets renew hostilities in their Western Conference quarterfinals set. Andrew Bynum made up for lackluster efforts from his All-Star teammates on Wednesday, posting 17 points and 11 rebounds to help the Lakers take Game 2, 87-78, at Staples Center .

"Andrew plays well against this team because of his size. This was one of his top games," said Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. "We had trouble scoring against their defense, [but] our defense was better tonight."

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combined for just 19 points on 5-of-20 shooting for the Lakers, who were upset in Game 1 on their home floor but rebounded Wednesday by holding the Hornets to 39 percent shooting. Lamar Odom, fresh off being named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year, donated 16 points while Ron Artest added 15 for LA.

"After you get an award like that, you get a little bit selfish and you can't help but want to play well," Odom told NBA.com. "But that's been my mentality really especially throughout this year to play at a certain level."

Bryant, who put up 26 shots in Game 1 despite bruising his neck before halftime, made 3-for-10 from the floor and wound up with 11 points in just under 35 minutes. Gasol, who is shooting a miserable 21 percent in the first two games of the series, finished with just eight points and five rebounds, although he did have three blocks. "I don't expect to be shooting such a low percentage...(the referees) let (the Hornets) get away with a lot of shoving," Gasol said. "We have to force the issue more. But they are doing a good job of digging and not letting in post- entry passes comfortably and so we have to figure it out."

Steve Blake, sidelined for the past week because of chickenpox, played nearly 18 minutes and handed out five assists. "I felt really good," Blake told NBA.com. "A lot better than I thought I would be. I played some good defense and I did my part." Chris Paul ended with 20 points and nine assists, and former Laker Trevor

Ariza chipped in 22 points and seven rebounds for the Hornets. "They were more aggressive," Paul said. "We didn't play to our potential."

Carl Landry scored 12 points New Orleans , which was outscored in the paint, 50-32 and committed 16 turnovers, 13 more than Sunday's Game 1 shocker.

"It was certainly their defense," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "I thought they were more physical tonight. They played passing lanes. They tried to take some of our options away."

The Lakers, who swept four meetings with the Hornets in the regular season, are 28-12 in their storied history when they split the first two games of a playoff series.

These two teams have never met in the postseason previously. Game 4 of the set will also be in New Orleans on Easter Sunday.

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