Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers begin their second seven-game road trip of the season tonight in New Orleans, facing Chris Paul and the Hornets at New Orleans Arena. The Lakers have lost three of their last four games, and had to go to overtime for the one victory, against the sub-.500 Rockets. The Lakers are just 4-5 in their last nine games.
Tonight's game begins a seven-game road trip for the Lakers, which takes them into the All-Star break, when the basketball world descends upon Staples Center for NBA All-Star Weekend. The Lakers already had one seven-game trip this season, from December 8-19, although the first of those road games was a contest in Los Angeles against the Clippers. The Lakers went 6-1 on that trip, but face a tougher set of opponents over the next two weeks. In addition to facing the Hornets, who at 32-19 are currently in fifth place in the Western Conference, the Lakers also have trips to face Eastern Conference powers Boston and Orlando on the trip.
The Lakers have beaten New Orleans twice this season, including a 103-88 win in New Orleans on December 29 which featured the return of center Andrew Bynum to the starting lineup. The Lakers are 15-8 on the road this season, which is tied for the fourth-best road record in the NBA. The Hornets are 20-5 at home, the fourth best home mark in the league. The Hornets have lost three of their last four games after winning 10 straight contests.
For more information on tonight's game, be sure to read Silver Screen and Roll.