NBA MVP 2012 Power Rankings: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul Strong Contenders

The Chris Paul era with the Los Angeles Clippers hasn't just brought a second playoff contender to Staples Center this season. The point guard also means there are two legitimate candidates for NBA Most Valuable Player who play their home games in the building. Paul, along with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, are rated as strong contenders in the latest NBA MVP Power Rankings at SB Nation.

Tom Ziller rightfully rates LeBron James as the clear top choice for NBA MVP this season, but Bryant made a leap over Kevin Durant for the No. 2 spot in the pecking order. "Kobe hasn't been just the top scorer among two-guards this season, but he's also one of the best rebounders and the best playmaker," said Ziller. "If you close your eyes and look at the numbers, he's been disturbingly Wade-like."

Bryant leads the NBA in scoring this season, at 30.0 points per game, and is averaging 6.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this season.

Paul, who has led the Clippers to the lead over the Lakers in the Pacific Division, is also seen as a strong MVP candidate, currently ranked eighth.

"There's a feeling that those back-to-back wins over the Nuggets and Thunder constituted a turning point for the Clippers, and CP3's floor game would have been the dominant story if not for Blake Griffin's maiming of Kendrick Perkins," wrote Ziller. "By the end of the season, once his games played number catches up, he should be right near the top of this list.

Lakers Vs. Bobcats: Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant Lead 106-73 Blowout Win

Andrew Bynum scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked two shots, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 106-73 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats Tuesday night at Staples Center. The victory was the second straight win for the Lakers. After being held under 100 points for a franchise record 13 straight games, the Lakers have topped the century mark in two straight games.

Kobe Bryant scored 18 points in the first quarter, matching the output of the entire Charlotte team in the first 12 minutes. Bryant ended the night with 24 points and three rebounds. Kobe opened the night making seven of his first 10 shots from the field and made his first two three-pointers, but then made just 2-of-11 the rest of the way, including missing his last nine threes.

The Lakers led 60-36 at halftime. Charlotte fell to 3-19 on the season, the worst record in the NBA, including 1-11 on the road.

Rookie guard Andrew Goudelock scored 12 points in 25 minutes, continuing to contribute off the bench for the Lakers. The rookie has 46 points in his last four games on 17-for-34 shooting, including 8-of-14 from three-point range.

The Lakers won't see Staples Center for another two weeks. They begin their Grammy road trip on Friday in Denver, the first of six stops on their 10-day journey.

For more Lakers news and information, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.

Lakers Vs. Bobcats Game Score: Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum Dominate, Lakers Lead 60-36 At Halftime

The Los Angeles Lakers are aware of their recent history against the Charlotte Bobcats, and the first half Tuesday night at Staples Center showed a team taking care of business against possibly the worst team in the NBA. Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, including 18 in the first quarter, while Andrew Bynum controlled the middle with 14 points and eight rebounds, leading the Lakers to a 60-36 lead at halftime.

The Lakers had lost eight of their last 11 games against Charlotte, who along with the Boston Celtics are the only two teams in NBA history to have a winning record in franchise history against the Lakers. However, the Bobcats entered play Tuesday night at 3-18 and losers of eight straight games, and it showed on the court.

The Lakers outscored Charlotte 30-18 in each of the first two quarters en route to shooting 58.5% (24 for 41) from the field in the first half. The Bobcats shot just 31.2% (15 for 48) in the opening 24 minutes, and were led in scoring by Derrick Brown, who poured in 10 points off the bench.

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Lakers Vs. Bobcats: Game Time, TV Info, And More

The Los Angeles Lakers host the Charlotte Bobcats, the team with the worst record in the NBA, on Tuesday night at Staples Center. It is the final home game for the Lakers before beginning their Grammy road trip, a six-game journey that begins Friday in Denver. Here are the relevant details of Tuesday's contest:

Records: Lakers (12-9); Bobcats (3-18)

Location: Staples Center, in downtown Los Angeles

Time: 7:30 p.m. PST

TV: Prime Ticket

Offensive Efficiency: Lakers, 103.1 points per 100 possessions (15th in NBA); Bobcats, 95.8 (29th)

Defensive Efficiency: Lakers, 101.4 (12th); Bobcats, 108.4 (27th)

Streaks: Lakers, won one; Charlotte, lost eight

Doing Time: The Lakers have two of the top six in the league in minutes played per game, with Kobe Bryant number two at 38.6 minutes per contest, and Pau Gasol number six in the NBA at 37.7 minutes per game. Bryant played 33.9 minutes per game last season, his lowest figure in 13 seasons.

For more Lakers news and information, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.

Lakers Vs. Bobcats: NBA's Worst Team Comes To Staples Center

The Bobcats have beaten the Lakers in eight of their last 11 meetings.