(Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant had 28 points -- 26 in a strong first half -- to lead the Los Angeles Lakers in a 104-88 drubbing of the New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center.

Bryant shot 10-of-16 in the first half and sat out a large portion of the second half for the Lakers, who have won six of their first seven games. Shannon Brown added 15 points off the bench, while Luke Walton had 11.

Los Angeles continued to play without Pau Gasol (hamstring) and Andrew Bynum (elbow).

Chris Paul had 15 points and nine assists for the Hornets, who have fallen to 2-5 to start the season. David West added 11 points in the loss, while James Posey, Emeka Okafor and Devin Brown each had 10 points. Okafor added 14 rebounds.

Bryant scored 14 points in the first quarter to give the Lakers a 27-17 lead heading to the second. The Lakers' star added 12 more points in the second quarter, and Los Angeles led 55-42 at halftime.

The Lakers took an enormous advantage in the third quarter, storming out of the gate with a 17-3 run to take a 27-point lead.

Derek Fisher began the run with a three-pointer, and Shannon Brown added two shots from long distance in the surge. D.J. Mbenga had four points, and his layup midway through the period made it a 72-45 game.

Los Angeles' lead stood at 82-58 heading to the fourth, and the Hornets never got closer than 14 in the final quarter.

Game Notes

The Hornets started a three-game road trip Sunday and will also visit the Clippers and Suns...The Lakers moved to 2-0 on a three-game homestand...Los Angeles won the season series in 2008-09, 3-1...Mbenga had his first career double-double, as he finished with 10 points and 12 boards.



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