Andrew Bynum had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocked shots, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to an 87-78 win over the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday night in Game 2 of their first round NBA playoff series at Staples Center. Bynum led a defensive resurgence for the Lakers in Game 2, especially compared to the Game 1 loss. Dexter Fishmore of SB Nation Los Angeles and Silver Screen and Roll chimed in with the efficiency statistics: "Final points per possession: Lakers - 1.05, Hornets - 0.92."
Chris Paul had 20 points and nine assists for the Hornets, but that was a far cry from Game 1, when he dominated with 33 points, seven rebounds, and 14 assists. The Lakers had a relatively balanced scoring attack, with four players in double figures. Lamar Odom, who was presented with his Sixth Man of the Year trophy before the game, scored 16 points and grabbed seven boards in 28 minutes.
Kobe Bryant struggled for the Lakers, with 11 points on 3-for-10 shooting, but he wasn't alone. Pau Gasol had another subpar game, with eight points, five rebounds, and five assists. Gasol made just two of 10 shots from the field, and for the series Gasol is shooting only 21.1% (4-for-19).
Game 3 is Friday night in New Orleans, in a 6:30 p.m. PDT game that will be televised by KCAL and ESPN.
For more news on this first-round matchup, be sure to stay tuned to this story stream at SB Nation Los Angeles. For more NBA playoff coverage, check out SB Nation's NBA playoff bracket and schedule. For more news and information on the Lakers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog Silver Screen and Roll.