Kings are the champions!
  1. Lobby
  2. Draft
  3. Preseason
  4. Season
  5. Playoffs
Wed Dec 22, 2004 · 8:30 PM
New Orleans HornetsHornets
84
away
Chemistry Tense
Los Angeles LakersLakers
134
home
Chemistry Tense

Box Score

TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
New Orleans HornetsHornets 19 21 20 24 84
Los Angeles LakersLakers 39 36 31 28 134

After Action Report

The Lakers demolished the Hornets 134-84. The Hornets had no answer for the variance gods tonight. The Lakers carried the confidence of a hot streak right into this one; Lakers' defenders refused to give up clean looks. The Lakers locker room is humming, and it showed. Early returns: the Lakers per-player utilization choices fit the identity tonight. Never a doubt in this one.

What tipped it

  • Lakers · Catching Fire Riding a 4+ game winning streak — confidence is high.
  • Lakers · Tight-Knit Locker-room chemistry is humming — extra trust on every possession.
  • Hornets · Glass Eaters Crashing the boards generates extra possessions and second-chance buckets.
  • Hornets · Crashing An 8+ game losing skid — heads are down, both ends suffer.
  • Hornets · Locker-Room Rift Tension in the locker room — poor ball movement and streaky play.