Odom Helps Lakers Clinch Playoff Spot

New Orleans goes up 3-1 over Dallas in first-round playoff series

(NEWSER) - David West let out his pent-up frustration over a poor Game 3 with a determined effort Sunday, scoring 10 of his 24 points in a quick stretch early in the second half to help the New Orleans Hornets pull away for a 97-84 victory and a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. Chris Paul added 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. More»

Lakers star tops 50-point mark for 22nd time

(NEWSER) - Kobe Bryant scored the Lakers' last 14 points in the fourth quarter and totaled 52 points on the afternoon as LA topped Dallas in overtime, 108-104. The Mavs' Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 30 points, sent the game to the extra session by hitting a 3-pointer with two seconds left but missed another tying three at the end of overtime that could have extended the game, reports the AP. More»

His replacement Harris shines against Bucks, Lakers sear Heat

(NEWSER) - Trailing the Spurs by two points with 35 seconds on the clock, the Mavericks benched assister Jason Kidd in favor of shotmaker Jerry Stackhouse, but to no avail. San Antonio went on to win 97-94 after two missed shots by Dirk Nowitzki and one blocked Jason Terry try, the Dallas Morning News reports. In other basketball action: More»

LA never trails against defending champs in 30-point victory

(NEWSER) - No comeback required for the Lakers on Friday, as they scored the final nine points of the first half and never looked back in a 101-71 thrashing of defending champion San Antonio, reports AP. Kobe Bryant scored 22 points and Lamar Odom added 20 points and 12 rebounds as LA held serve at home, taking a 2-0 Western Conference finals series lead. More»

(NEWSER) - Kobe Bryant, celebrating what is expected to be his first NBA MVP award, did just enough to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to another postseason victory. Bryant had 38 points, six rebounds and seven assists yesterday, as the Lakers made it five straight playoff wins by beating the Utah Jazz 109-98 to begin the second round. Game 2 is Wednesday night in L.A. More»