The Lakers gained another game on the league-leading Spurs after dispatching the Hornets 102-84 Sunday at Staples Center.
Los Angeles (53-20) trails San Antonio (57-16) with nine games remaining, including a head-to-head bout on April 12 at Staples Center. With the season sweep of the Hornets 4-0, the Lakers have now won 15 of their last 16. Kobe Bryant led the way with a game-high 30 points. Bryant is now averaging 36.3 points in his last three contests. Pau Gasol notched his 40th double-double with 23 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Elsewhere, the Heat cooled off the Rockets and improved their winning streak to five. The Thunder clinched a playoff spot as Russell Westbrook scored 28 to help his team hold off Portlans despite Wallace’s 40 points. Boston edged