Fuck Yeah Lakers

8 Consecutive times Kobe Bryant scored at least 30 points in a close out game for the Lakers, an NBA record snapped on this day primarily because LAL’s second unit was so great to start the fourth quarter.

11 Times in the last 12 playoff series in which the Lakers have closed out an opponent the first time they had such an opportunity. They did it in all four 2010 playoff series, and 3-of-4 in 2009, the only loss coming in Game 6 against Houston in the Conference Semi’s.

12 Rebounds for Andrew Bynum, eight of which came on the offensive end, as the young center dominated the paint at both ends for much of his time on the floor. He added 18 points, two blocks and a steal in a terrific all-around effort.

14 Points off the bench for Lamar Odom, just seven fewer than N.O.’s entire second unit. Odom also pitched in eight boards and four assists in perhaps his best game of the series.

42 Hornets shooting percentage for the game, L.A.’s D playing excellent throughout while setting the tone in a first half N.O. managed just 16 and 18 points in respective quarters. The Lakers forced 14 turnovers, and held Chris Paul to only 10 points with 11 assists.

Interesting, as always.

0 First half points for Kobe Bryant, who missed all seven of his shots, though he did have seven assists. Bryant appeared to have gotten hit on one of his sore fingers early in the contest, but he bounced back with 14 points in the third quarter alone. He’d finish with 17, though the turning of his troubled left ankle in the final minutes was a troubling way for him to end the game.

1 Triple double in the game for Chris Paul, who finished with 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds in a ridiculous effort.

6 Minimum number of games in this series due to the Hornets’ win, tied at 2 just like Dallas and Portland.

7 More rebounds grabbed by the attacking-all-game Hornets, who hit the offensive glass 12 times. No Laker had more than nine boards (Andrew Bynum).

16 Points through three quarters for Ron Artest, who’d been terrific all series. He played little in the fourth quarter, however, Phil Jackson going with the second unit, then leaving Shannon Brown in since the Hornets were playing two point guards in Chris Paul and Jarrett Jack.

18 Bench points for the Lakers, which was only one fewer than New Orleans’s 19, but only six of them came from Lamar Odom on 1-of-7 FG’s. L.A. needed more out of its Sixth Man of the Year.