LAKERS LATEST

NBA PLAYOFFS-FIRST ROUND: GAME 3. LOS ANGELES LAKERS 88-93 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

Now we still have a series. The New Orleans Hornets tied up the Los Angeles Lakers and the series up at 2 games a piece following their 93-88 win. Chris Paul played with a bandaged left hand and a plaster above his right eye, but still it was the Lakers who were wrapped up thanks to CP3's triple of 27 points, 15 assists and 13 rebounds. The whole New Orleans crowd was uplifted by Paul's igniting performance as the Lakers times have become even harder in the Big Easy. "Regardless of what happens in this series, it was good to see the city with a smile on their face,'' Paul humbly said, but his team are still in it. For the Lake Show Kobe's performances was put on hold as he was scoreless in the first-half before managing 17 by the end of regulation. Kobe suffered an ankle sprain to go along with low numbers, still a delightfully defiant Kobe told press "it's going to take a lot to stop me from playing. I've played through so many of them that it kind of becomes old habit.'' This is exactly the type of resilience these Lakers need as Phil Jackson co-signs, "Well, it's a series now." The Lakers will hope for no reruns of last night. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

LAKERS LATEST

NBA PLAYOFFS-FIRST ROUND: GAME 3. LOS ANGELES LAKERS 100-86 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

After tying up the series at home (following the Hornets giving them the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers treatment in Game 1) the Lakers took the series back to New Orleans and took control. The Hornets crowd was a hive of electricity and excitement but the Lakers silenced their buzz with a 100-86 win to take a 2-1 series lead. Kobe had 30 to pace the Lakes but his and the games greatest impression was Pau Gasol who defied critics, his range and the game with a clutch three. "It's funny how a shot can kind of turn the momentum around for him when he's had a hard time making shots around the basket and in the paint - and he knocks down a 3,'' Bryant marveled at his sidekicks buckaroo play. "It was just about playing my game and being assertive and being comfortable out there,'' Gasol added to go along with his 17 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Bynum showing no ill-form to his ill-health added 14 points and 11 rebounds to the knees up, despite again going down on one knee in an injury he seems to be in matrimony with. 'Sixth Man of the Year' Lamar Odom also notched 13 points under the Lakers belt as they whipped themselves into shape and the Hornets out the game. As the Lake Show smartens up, they look more like the championship suitors they're supposed to be. New Orleans need to get back to that blue collar hard work. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

LAKERS LATEST: LAMAR ODOM-SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

"It's been a long time coming" Lamar Odom said in his 'Sixth Man Of The Year' presser. I mean really were they ever going to give it to anybody else? I mean could they even give it to anybody else? 14 points, 9 rebounds all 82 games and the one main reason the Los Angeles Lakers are still even in the championship hunt (due word to New Orleans). He should be a starter, he should be an All-Star (that's surely next-'Odom A Favour' (http://lakeshowview.blogspot.com/2011/01/odom-favour.html) is still relevant) and he should have been honored sooner. Still the NBA finally recognised Lamar Odom's sacrifice to his Los Angeles Lakers by naming him the 2011 'Sixth Man Of The Year'. Kobe Bryant was first out his seat to lead a standing applause and 'O' for the NBA's new 'Big O'.

The biggest, most dynamic, versatile threat off the bench has given the three-peat plugging but at times sluggish Lakers the spark and different dimension they truly need. Still Odom told everyone attending the press conference to sit down, acknowledged his team and growing family and humbly broke down as he truly thanked the people who he wished where there to see him. In a touching moment we really saw how much this selfless, sacrificing soldier has lost and all he has overcome to be there for others first. The truest sixth man of recent years he really personifies the truest sense of the 'teammate' phrase that embodies this award. Don't think this will be the last time his career will be recognised for this. This is only the beginning. Thank you and congratulations Lamar...you've truly earned it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

(N.B. Apologies we have been out of action over the last few critical weeks in basketball, but we are back for that playoff push).