Lakers vs Hornets Highlights 11/8/09 Video

JD2K Highlights - SD Version

Lakers 104 Hornets 88

Kobe Bryant scored 28 points, Shannon Brown added 15 and the Los Angeles Lakers thrived again without their top two big men, beating the New Orleans Hornets 104-88 Sunday night.

DJ Mbenga had 10 points and 12 rebounds for the defending NBA champions, who easily won their fifth straight game and their second in a row without injured center Andrew Bynum and forward Pau Gasol.

Bryant scored all but two of his points before halftime, repeatedly capitalizing down low with ease against Devin Browns defense. Los Angeles opened a 27-point lead in the third quarter and coasted to a 6-1 start.

Chris Paul had 15 points and nine assists for the Hornets, who made just 36.5 percent of their shots while opening a three-game West Coast road trip with their fourth loss in five games.

Bynums strained right elbow has sidelined him for the past two games, while Gasols strained right hamstring has kept him out since the preseason. Both will have three more days to heal before Thursdays visit from surprising Phoenix, the early Pacific Division co-leaders with Los Angeles.

Bryant scored exactly 41 points in three of the Lakers previous four games, but the Hornets poor shooting and often-confused defense created little reason to inspire another big game. Bryant went scoreless in the third quarter, and he sat down for good with nearly seven minutes still to play.

After leading by 17 points during the first half, Los Angeles opened the second half on a 17-3 run with two 3-pointers from Shannon Brown. The backup guard added a few rim-shaking dunks while scoring all his points after halftime.

Even Mbenga, the Lakers backup center with only rudimentary skills, matched his career scoring high and fell one shy of his NBA rebounding best while making his fourth NBA start. Luke Walton added 11 points, while Lamar Odom had seven points, nine rebounds and six assists.

New Orleans coach Byron Scott began the trip by bumping shooting guard Morris Peterson from the starting lineup in favor of Devin Brown, who had played just eight minutes all season. Peterson started the Hornets first six games, but made just 34.1 percent of his shots while playing defense that didnt please Scott.

I thought it was important for these guys to know that Im not just going to sit there and let things go the wrong way, Scott said before the game.

Immediately after the opening tip, Devin Brown turned the ball over to Bryant for a drive and a dunk. If Scott hoped to improve the Hornets struggling defense, asking the smallish Devin Brown to stop Bryants much-improved low-post game didnt work as planned.

NOTES: New Orleans didnt even dress Peterson, moving him to the inactive list. The Lakers are just two games into a stretch with 14 of 16 games at Staples Center. Anthony Kiedis and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sat together on the baseline.

Boxscore: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=Ag3sFzmq74rJmVXj5EwAuX2QvLYF?gid=2009110813

Lakers Record: 6-1
Next game: Thursday at home vs the Phoenix Suns

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iamkingoneluv2: yO somebody, anybody get the word to Shanon Bee and let him know we want to see him go heads up against The Prince James in the SLAM DUNK CONTESTS at all-star weekend this year. Raise the roof cus Shanon's in TOWN..

Tikusgca: the player of the game , #28 DJ. Mbenga :) i like this guy, he and #12 S.Brown are my favourite Lakers beside Kobe

rakoburak: thanks for the highlights.

mackyjaniceantawn: go DJ Mblockerbenga

kdc111190: Hell YEAH!!

kdc111190: Laker Bench is the Best!!! Even Morrison played and did a good job in limited minutes!

musjay: DJ MBENGA IS THE BEST

jay823: lakers all the way.. xD

TheKB24KB24: lakers ALL DAY

jatt5abi: thanks for the hd highlights man... much appreciated.

yanebok: lakers repeat!!! woooooooooo..

crtnyevans: Shannon Brown is confirmed for the dunk contest. I repeat he will be in the 2010 dunk contest

ChrisTrinhnumber1: Kobe and Ron is the Best!!!

makaveli357: lmao @ odom throwing the ball at dj's butt.. 1 2 3 ring!

LT2AD: here comes DJ MBINGO!!! lol

tomvo44: wow mbenga is awesome!! dont ever come in my house!!! and expect to win when i am here

Jackj28: Lakers Got the Championship this year! AGAIN! We got it LA!!! Go Lakers!!

thekid9866: 1:49 shannon sneaking from the right wing

JohnasonLin1982: Suns vs Lakers !!! awsome matchups! Too bad Lakers are not at full strength yet~

nanablvd: the nba would be stupid if they do not invite shanon to dunk contest this year with his impressive dunks getting media attention like that.

IDontUnderstand22: Anyone else notice the laker bench at the beginning? when kobe is dunking. everyone is putting their leg up at the same time? lol?