Lakers Vs. Hornets Game Preview: L.A. Has Beaten New Orleans Five Straight Times

The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back on track on Saturday afternoon, hosting the New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center. The Lakers have lost four of their last seven games and three of their last four home games, and open play on Saturday just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers in the Pacific Division with 15 games to play.

In their first meeting this season, the Lakers (31-20) won in New Orleans 107-101 in overtime on March 14. The Lakers have beaten the Hornets five straight times overall, and five straight times at Staples Center. The Lakers are 20-5 at home this season.

Andrew Bynum had 25 points and 18 rebounds in that March 14 win in New Orleans, and is averaging 22.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game in March, including 25 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to Oklahoma City on Thursday night.

New Orleans (13-38) has the worst record in the Western Conference, and have lost seven of their last 10 games.

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