Kobe Bryant finished with a game-high 30 points as the Lakers topped the Hornets, 102-84.
Pau Gasol posted 23 points and 16 rebounds, while Andrew Bynum scored 13 for Los Angeles, which has won seven straight and 15-of-16. Ron Artest added 11 points and Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown both contributed eight points off the bench.
Carl Landry paced the Hornets with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Emeka Okafor added 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Paul posted 10 points and nine assists in the loss.
With their impressive five-week run since the All-Star game, the Lakers (53-20) have gotten within a half-game of Chicago (53-19) for the NBA’s second-best record. That’s something that could come in handy if the Lakers reach their fourth straight NBA finals and need some home-court advantage.
For more Hornets analysis, visit At The Hive. For more on the Lakers, check out Silver Screen And Roll and SB Nation L.A.