Lakers v. Hornets: Game 5 Preview

LOS ANGELES --  Game 5. Most Lakers fans would expect this to be an elimination game for the Hornets. Instead, the Lakers enter this game tied 2-2 in the series. The news doesn't get any easier from there. The Lakers' main scoring option, Kobe Bryant, has a severe left ankle sprain that occurred in Game 4.

Bryant, who has refused to have an X-ray or MRI performed, insists he will play in Game 5 no matter what and has received around-the-clock treatment in preparation for the game. With no question about Bryant's will to compete, the only question left is do the rest of the Lakers?

In their two losses, the Lakers have seemed anything but ready to compete. True, players like Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum have shown up for every game and posted great numbers, but the Lakers' normally steady and consistent players Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom have struggled in the series, even seeming passive and content at times.

The Hornets have been near perfect in their wins with their bench players and starting point guard Chris Paul posting career numbers in those matchups. To say they have been anything short of brilliant would be an insult. Aaron Gray has provided a huge lift off the bench, proving to be a disruption to Gasol's game. Jarrett Jack has played excellent as well with his high shooting percentage and heroics all contributing to the Game 4 victory.

The Lakers have been here before -- as recently as last year when they played the young, up-and-coming Oklahoma City Thunder. Again with the series tied 2-2, the Lakers found that sense of urgency and put together a great playoff run on their way to the title. This Game 5 will be pivotal for both teams. Whoever takes this game will control their destiny, forcing the other team to win two games in a row to get their playoff miracle.

The positon the Lakers are in is one coach Phil Jackson feels plays to the teams strengths, saying, "They certainly play better when they're in a desperate mode, there's no doubt about that." When asked about his teams demeanor toward Game 5, Jackson said, "They were somber. They understand the nature of we to have to do with this ballclub."

One thing is for sure, the Hornets are not taking this lightly, and they don't feel as though they have accomplished anything yet. Rather, they have been humble, almost fearful, that at any moment the Lakers could flip a switch and end the series with ease. It's with calm and catioun that they fight for every possesion, something the Lakers should take note of.

If Paul can come out and dominate the Lakers' defense as he has in Games 1 and 4, the Lakers may find themselves digging out of the grave in Game 6. But if history tells us anything, it is the Lakers will get themselves aligned for the next two games and make sure they deny Paul the opportunity to sting them any more than he has already.

Lakers v. Hornets: Game 3 Recap

NEW ORLEANS -- The Hornets came into this game trying to stun the defending champs again. They left with a loss and the realization that their fortunes may have faded in this series.

Pau Gasol, the one factor the Hornets had working for them, seems to have found his game again. Gasol, who was still struggled with his shot for the first two and a half quarters, found his shooting touch with a long three-point basket in the forth quarter of April 22's game. From then on, the power forward was all business, showing the aggression Laker fans have been impatiently calling for. Gasol was 1-for-3 on three-point attempts all season before last night.

Gasol finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping lead the Lakers to a 100-86 victory against the Hornets and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with Game 4 in New Orleans April 24. Reestablishing Gasol as a scoring option had further reaching implications than just the series with the Hornets; most fans were looking ahead to a run-in with either Dallas or Portland, teams who both have All-Star power forwards.

When asked about his teammates return to form, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said, "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, that kind of got him going."

Bryant, who was also coming off a low-scoring performance from the previous game, had 30 point to lead all players.

Also adding to the exhibition was Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds as well as another brief scare with his oft-injured right knee but seemed to shake off any issues. Lamar Odom scored 13 points and Ron Artest had 9, but was a disruptive force on the defensive end.

The Hornets were not without their playmakers as well. Chris Paul had 22 points but was held to only four points in the second half. The Lakers made it their focus to deny him access to the ball, forcing the other Hornets players to make most of the plays. Other Hornets top performers were Carl Laundry, who had 23 points, including a monster dunk midway through the forth when the Hornets had one last chance to threaten the Lakers for the lead; Trevor Ariza scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

One thing is for sure, if the Hornets want to even this series, they will need far more production from their All-Star point guard as well as their bench. They are vastly undersized in the front court and will need to find a solution to that before Sunday, or risk facing a 3-1 series deficit and potential elimination when they return to the Staples Center April 26 for Game 5.