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West Side Story: Lakers, Hornets meet in LA

Fri 11th, April 2008

(Sports Network) - Two teams battling for the top spot in the Western Conference meet tonight, as the New Orleans Hornets visit the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

New Orleans is the top seed in the West and is 1 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers. The Hornets are also two games ahead of San Antonio and Houston in the Southwest Division, while the Lakers are one game in front of Phoenix in the Pacific.

The Hornets can clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory against the Lakers and losses by the Spurs and Rockets. San Antonio hosts Seattle, while Houston will battle the Suns at the Toyota Center.

If the Lakers win tonight and the Suns lose at Houston, LA would clinch its first Pacific Division crown since the 2003-04 campaign.

The Hornets play the middle contest of a three-game road trip on Friday. New Orleans is 26-12 on the road this season, and will wrap up the swing on Saturday at Sacramento.

Peja Stojakovic poured in 24 points on 9-of-15 from the floor, including 5- of-8 from beyond the arc, as New Orleans recently dominated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 122-90, at the Target Center. With the victory, the Hornets earned their franchise-best 55th victory.

David West scored 22 points for New Orleans, which has won six of its last seven games overall. Chris Paul collected 19 points, five rebounds and 16 assists, while Tyson Chandler posted 14 points and seven boards.

The Lakers open a season-ending three-game homestand this evening. On Thursday, Luke Walton scored 18 points as the Lakers routed the Clippers, 106-78, at the Staples Center.

Kobe Bryant added 16 points for the Lakers, who finished a perfect 4-0 against the Clippers this season. Lamar Odom had 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Pau Gasol netted 13 points in the victory.

The Lakers, who are 27-11 as the host this season, will battle the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday and the Kings on Wednesday in their regular-season finale.

New Orleans is 2-1 against the Lakers this season, and has won four of the last six contests in the series. The Hornets defeated the Lakers, 118-104, on November 6, 2007 at the Staples Center.

The Hornets have won two straight after losing their last five at the Lakers.

Where the players come to play and STAY.