NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant keyed a big second period Wednesday that allowed the Los Angeles Lakers to sail past New Orleans 103-88.
The Lakers ended a three-game losing streak and gave the Hornets their fourth setback in six games.
Odom scored 24 points and Bryant had 20. They were instrumental in holding New Orleans to 18 points in the second period while the Lakers were building a 59-41 lead at the break.
Pau Gasol added 11 points and 12 rebounds. Los Angeles was ahead by 23 points heading into the fourth period and that advantage never dipped lower than 15.
New Orleans was led by Chris Paul with 20 points.
Los Angeles avoided what would have been its second four-game losing streak of the season. The Lakers dropped four in a row from Nov. 26-Dec. 1.
