- (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and hit the big shot from beyond the arc with 1:08 remaining, to stop a big New Orleans run and keep the Lakers unbeaten with a 93-86 victory. Derek Fisher also scored 20 for the Lakers, who at 7-0 are tied for their third-best start in franchise history. They won their first seven in 2001-02, captured the first eight in 1987-88 and set a top mark with an 11-0 beginning in 1997-98. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum each scored 14 for Los Angeles.

The Lakers are the last unbeaten team in the league this season. Atlanta, which was without a loss going into Wednesday, was defeated, 103-102, at Boston.

New Orleans guard Chris Paul extended his amazing record of at least 20 points and 10 assists in all seven games this season, finishing with 30 points, seven rebounds and 13 assists, going 13-of-19 from the field. Oscar Robertson set the previous mark of five in a row to start the 1968 campaign with the Cincinnati Royals.

David West added 21 points and 12 rebounds, but accounted for six of New Orleans' 17 turnovers. Peja Stojakovic tallied 10 points, but was 3-of-13 from the floor, for the Hornets, who have dropped three of their last four games.

Trevor Ariza's jam expanded LA's lead to 75-56 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining, but New Orleans came back with a 24-8 spurt. Paul's bank shot capped the flurry for a three-point difference with 1 1/2 minutes to go.

Bryant then held the ball near the top of the arc, and with the shot clock about to expire, rose up and drained a three over James Posey.

"You can't defend much better than what Posey did," said Hornets coach Byron Scott. "Pose was right in his face, and that is what great players do, they make big shots. You have to give Kobe a lot of credit because that was a big time shot "

"I'm never surprised to see him do anything," said Fisher. "I said several years ago that he's one of those rare guys in the history of the game I think can actually make the ball go in. When it's a tough shot and three people are on him and he's falling away mentally he's able to lock in on that rim and get the ball in the basket. I think that's what separates him from some of the best to ever play."

A Lamar Odom steal led to one free throw by Gasol with 54.8 seconds left, and Fisher came up with another theft and a pair of free throws. Bryant made all four of his foul shots in the final half-minute.

The Lakers scored seven of the first eight points and carried a 28-17 lead to the second quarter. It got worse for the Hornets, as the Lakers increased their advantage to 51-30 at the half. It was 71-52 going to the fourth.

Game Notes

Ariza scored 10 points...Morris Peterson missed all five of his shots and had no points for the Hornets...The Lakers will play seven of their next eight at home, starting Friday versus Detroit...The Hornets host Portland on Friday.



Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved