The scouting report was straight forward and succinct: The Lakers spend a lot of time in the lane on the offensive end of the court.

Although the Hornets limited Los Angeles to just 18 points inside the lane in the first half, the final two quarters and overtime were a different story.

The Lakers scored 36 points in the paint in the second half and consequently went to the free-throw line 35 times — including three by Kobe Bryant with 19.3 seconds in regulation that pushed the game into overtime — and Los Angeles outlasted the Hornets 107-101 in the New Orleans Arena before an announced crowd of 17,272.

The Hornets play at home again tonight against the Washington Wizards.

Los Angeles finished the game with 54 points in the lane, and in the Hornets’ past three games opponents have scored 146 points inside.

“In the first half, we had 18 in the paint; in the second half we had 36,” Lakers Coach Mike Brown said. “We found ways to score down there. But you’ve got to give New Orleans credit, because they made it crowded all night. In the second half, we got the ball down there and made some nice finishes.”

Finish is what the Hornets could not do Wednesday night, despite a good effort through nearly four full quarters.

New Orleans led by 17 points late in the second quarter and was up by 14 at halftime. But the Lakers outscored the Hornets 30-16 in the third to tie the score at 70 and made more plays down the stretch and throughout overtime.

Bryant had a game-high 33 points, including 11-of-11 shooting on free throws. Center Andrew Bynum had 25 points and 18 rebounds, and power forward Pau Gasol had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Jarrett Jack led the Hornets with 30 points, and Chris Kaman had 21 points and 12 rebounds. Kaman had a wide-open look from 15 feet with just 3.2 seconds to go in regulation and the game tied at 93, but couldn’t convert.

With the Hornets trailing 102-99 in with 41.9 to go in overtime, Kaman lost the ball, which was stolen by Metta World Peace. World Peace also blocked a shot by Kaman with 14.9 seconds to go and the Lakers leading 103-99.

“Our guys just game out at halftime and were determined to play the right way in terms of getting stops,” Brown said. “In the first half, we weren’t defensively present at all, and I thought they were able to get what they wanted. We picked that up in the third quarter, and at the end of the game, all our guys did a nice job, but Metta had some nice stops down the stretch. His defensive prowess, his hands, have been very big for us down the stretch in a lot of ball games.”

Bryant’s driving slam dunk with an and-one free throw added on the first play of overtime gave the Lakers a 96-93 lead, the first time Los Angeles led since 4:19 of the first quarter.

“The losses just drive you nuts,” said Hornets Coach Monty Williams. “Losing always makes you overanalyze or become real emotional. Winning is almost the same every time. I can say a lot of stuff right now, but I’m proud of the way our guys responded tonight. I told them if they continue to play that way, we’ll win more games.

“But our execution down the stretch was poor. There’s no other way to put it. A lot of that is on me. I’ve got to get guys in a position to execute and get some shots.”

The Hornets had three turnovers in overtime, two by Kaman.

New Orleans led once in overtime, 99-98, after Trevor Ariza’s jumper with 1:21 to go, but Los Angeles outscored the Hornets 9-2 the rest of the way.

“We fought hard,” said Jack. “I can’t really complain. My guys gave everything that they had. Obviously, we’re not at full strength, but you don’t look for any cop-outs or excuses.”

Williams offered none, as well.

“Every time I come up here after a loss,” Williams said, “I’m talking about us. But the Lakers beat us. They did what was necessary to win the game. That’s a championship team over there, and they are just going to get better. I thought they played their game. They were in our paint all night long, and they did what was necessary to win. Couple that with the lack of execution down the stretch, and you get the result.”

•••••••

Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3814.

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New Orleans’ Trevor Ariza tried to tie the game in the final seconds, but his dunk was blocked by Charlotte’s Bismack Biyombo. Kaman tried to get the rebound for the putback but the ball bounced away as time expired.

Jarret Jack had 15 points and assists nine assists for the Hornets (10-32).

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MINNEAPOLIS – Chris Kaman scored 20 points and the New Orleans Hornets snapped a four-game losing streak with a 95-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, who played their first game Saturday night since losing star point guard Ricky Rubio for the season to a knee injury.

Jarrett Jack had 17 points and seven assists for the Hornets, who won for the 10th time all season thanks to 28 assists on 39 buckets.

Kevin Love had 31 points and 16 rebounds after missing the previous game with back spasms, but the Timberwolves couldn’t shake the disappointment of losing Rubio in time to beat the Hornets.

The Hornets used an 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter to hold on and pick up their fifth road win of the season.

New Orleans 24 25 21 25–95

Minnesota 24 20 21 24–89

NEW ORLEANS (95): Ariza 2-7 4-4 8, Ayon 4-8 0-0 8, Kaman 10-21 0-0 20, Jack 5-7 7-8 17, Belinelli 4-11 2-2 11, Henry 2-8 0-0 4, Vasquez 5-9 0-0 12, Thomas 3-8 1-2 7, Foote 0-1 0-0 0, Aminu 4-5 0-0 8. Totals 39-85 14-16 95.

MINNESOTA (89): Johnson 0-3 0-0 0, Love 10-23 9-10 31, Pekovic 9-13 3-4 21, Ridnour 5-13 3-4 14, Webster 1-5 0-0 2, Williams 2-6 3-5 7, Beasley 1-7 0-2 2, Ellington 5-8 0-0 12, Miller 0-0 0-0 0, Lee 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 33-80 18-25 89.

3-Point Goals: New Orleans 3-7 (Vasquez 2-3, Belinelli 1-2, Jack 0-1, Ariza 0-1), Minnesota 5-23 (Ellington 2-4, Love 2-8, Ridnour 1-4, Johnson 0-1, Williams 0-1, Webster 0-2, Beasley 0-3). Fouled Out: Ayon. Rebounds: New Orleans 47 (Kaman, Aminu 6), Minnesota 55 (Love 16). Assists: New Orleans 28 (Jack 7), Minnesota 19 (Ridnour 10). Total Fouls: New Orleans 22, Minnesota 19. A: 20,123 (19,356).

Tags:
sports, timberwolves, basketball, updates

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But with teams failing to meet the asking price and Kaman playing a bigger and bigger role with the Hornets, New Orleans is reconsidering their efforts and may even sign him to a contract extension.

Houston, Golden State, Miami, Indiana and Boston were among the teams interested in trading for Kaman, but the price is high, thanks to the failure of the NBA to find a new owner for the team.

Until the team is sold, the NBA owns the team and must approve all trades. The trade deadline is March 15.

Kaman was an all-star in 2010, but played just 32 games last season.

After he was included by the Los Angeles Clippers in the trade for Chris Paul, Kaman came off the bench and was even left off the team. But since Feb. 6 when Kaman received more playing time because of injuries, he has averaged 16.1points and 9.8 rebounds.

si.com: Meanwhile, sources said the Hornets are considering offering the 29-year-old Kaman an extension if no trade occurs, as they are intrigued about the possibility of pairing him with shooting guard Eric Gordon, a former Clippers teammate. Gordon, who played just two games for New Orleans before a knee injury cost him this season, will be a restricted free agent this summer.

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