2011 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game #6
#2 Los Angeles Lakers at #7 New Orleans Hornets (LAL leads series 3-2) Best of Seven Series Format, 2-2-1-1-1
New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Thursday, April 28, 2011, 8:05 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Opening Line: Lakers -5 1/2
Current Line: Lakers -5 1/2
Opening Total: 184
Current Total: 184
Money Line: Lakers -245 / Hornets +205
The Lakers are once again one game away from advancing to the next round after a dominating 106-90 win over the Hornets Tuesday night. Kobe Bryant was listed as a game time decision with a sprained ankle. Of course he played and scored 19 points on a very efficient 8 for 13 shooting night. However, now the Lakers have to travel across the country again to play Chris Paul and the Hornets. Chris Paul has been nothing short of brilliant in the series so far averaging 24.4 points, 11.6 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in 5 games. It is because of Paul that the undermanned Hornets have even gotten this far, playing without leading scorer David West who is out for the season.
The Lakers played their best game of the series so far Tuesday night. All five Laker starters scored in double digits as did NBA sixth man of the year Lamar Odom. Kobe led the Lakers with 19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. Center Andrew Bynum had 18 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. Paul Gasol had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks. Derek Fisher added 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and even had a block. Ron Artest had 11 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Odom added 13 points. 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block. The Lakers dominated on the offensive boards with 15 and 22 second chance points while the Hornets only had 2. LA also outscored the Hornets 42-30 in the paint. The Lakers shot 49% from the field, including 7 for 18 from 3 point range. LA made 25 of their 30 free throw attempts. They had 42 rebounds, 21 assists, and 15 turnovers.
For New Orleans, besides the points in the paint and second chance points, the main reason they lost was 17 turnovers. The bench only scored 14 points. Paul had 20 points, 12 assists, and 4 rebounds, a line that most people would be thrilled to have, but looks ordinary compared to what Paul has done in the series. Trevor Ariza led all scorers with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Shooting guard Marco Belinelli had 21 points after struggling badly in the previous 4 games. The Hornets also shot 49% from the field including 47% from 3 point range. They missed 14 out of 21 free throw attempts. They had 25 rebounds, 21 assists, and the 17 turnovers I mentioned earlier. Even though they shot the ball really well, the mistakes doomed them to defeat.
The Lakers are 12-4 straight up versus the Hornets in the last 3 seasons. However, LA is only 8-8 ATS in those games. The over is 10-6 in those games. The Lakers are 86-104 ATS in all games the last 2 seasons, including 74-89 as a favorite. The Hornets are 57-86 ATS the last 3 seasons against teams scoring 99 points a game or more.
Kobe is officially listed as probable Thursday with his ankle injury. Rookie Forward Derrick Caracter is questionable after being suspended earlier this week. Chris Paul is nursing a thumb injury and has some soreness in his hips but will play.
In the Hornets’ two wins, Chris Paul has been sensational, with 33 points and 14 assists in game 1 and a triple double in game 4. He will have to play at that same level if the Hornets want to force a game 7. They also need to cut down on the mistakes and out hustle the Lakers like they did in game 4. If the Lakers play like they did Tuesday night, it will be difficult if not impossible for the Hornets to win.
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