Clips Get Butler

The Los Angeles Clippers traded for Rasual Butler from New Orleans, and in exchange the Hornets will receive a conditional second-round pick in 2016. The transaction comes as the Clippers try to start a rebuilding process built around Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. New Orleans' reasons for trading Butler, who enjoyed a career-season with an average of 11.2 points a game, for just a draft pick in the distant future was to lower payroll.

Clippers Get Stung

The Los Angeles Clippers fell to the New Orleans Hornets 104-98, their 57th loss of the season. The Clips could not hold a fourth-quarter lead as New Orleans shot .531 from the field. LA had shot 50% but committed 24 turnovers that resulted in 28 points. Chris Paul led the Hornets with 30 points and 14 assists, and David West added 19 points. Eric Gordon led the Clippers wit 25 points, and Zach Randolph had 24 with 14 rebounds.

Kobe, Fisher Help Lakers Escape Hornets' Clutches

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Hornets 115-111 in overtime, their 45th win of the season. The Lakers built a 13 point lead in the fourth quarter, but blew it after giving up a plethora of 3-pointers and trailed 98-95 with just seconds left in the game. However, Derek Fisher hit his own 3-pointer to tie the game with 14.3 seconds left, and a defensive stop sent the game into overtime. Kobe Bryant scored 11 points in the extra five minutes, and Hornets-star Chris Paul fouled out with 1:32 left in OT. LA won overtime 17-13. Kobe finished the game with 39 points, and Pau Gasol had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Fisher and Luke Walton each scored 14 points, and Lamar Odom had 12 with a game-high 17 rebounds. Rasual Butler led the Hornets with 31 points, and Paul added 21 points and 16 assists.

Clippers Hit Big 1-0

The Los Angeles Clippers were defeated by the New Orleans Hornets 107-80, their 10th straight loss. The Clips are still without Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, and Zach Randolph. LA committed 18 turnovers that resulted in 22 points. Rasual Butler had a game-high 27 points for New Orleans. Eric Gordan and Mardy Collins each had 15 points for LA, and Marcus Camby had 13 points with 17 rebounds. Hornets star Chris Paul played for only 29 minutes, scoring 10 points to go with 7 assists.

Lakers Get Stung by Hornets

The Los Angeles Lakers were defeated by the New Orleans Hornets 116-105, snapping both six-game and 15 home-game winning streaks. The game also caused Lamar Odom to hyperextend his right knee, and will not be with the team today in Oakland so he can get an MRI. The Lakers rallied in the third quarter to take a 99-94 lead, but New Orleans went on a 15-0 run to take the game. Kobe Bryant scored 39 points and had 7 assists to lead the Lakers, going 6-for-7 from 3-point range, and Odom had 12 points before leaving in the second quarter. Derek Fisher scored 19. David West and Chris Paul ripped apart the Lakers defense, with West scoring 40 points and getting 11 rebounds, and Paul with 32 points and 15 assists.

Lakers Sting N'awlins

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Hornets 100-87, closing the roadtrip by going 2-and-2. The Lakers returned to defensive form in one of their best games of the season, just in time for the big X-mas day game against hated rival Boston Celtics. News also came that Jordan Farmar has opted to undergo surgery to repair a tear in his knee, keeping him sidelined for at least 6-8 weeks. LA commited only 7 turnovers after having 5 in the first five minutes, and turned 16 New Orleans turnovers into 28 points. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points, and Pau Gasol had 20 points with 7 rebounds. Chris Paul led the Hornets with 17 points and 10 assists.

Clippers Shorthanded in Loss

The Los Angeles Clippers were defeated by the New Orleans Hornets 99-87. The Clips were without Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins after the Knicks learned about Cuttino Mobley's heart condition, putting the trade's effects on hold. New York could have voided the deal if they felt Mobley's condition would be too uncomfortable. However, the trade went through as planned, and Randolph and Collins will be available for LA's next game. However, the trade's problems caused problems in the Clipper's game against the Hornets, who outscored LA 50-41 in the second half. David West lead New Orleans with 27 points, and Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 assists. Rookie Eric Gordon had his first NBA start with the Clips, scoring 25 points. Baron Davis also helped LA with 19 points and 8 assists.

Lakers Survive Hornets' Nest

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New Orleans Hornets 93-86 to go 7-0. The Lakers held the Hornets to just 30 points in the first half, but gave up 34 in the fourth quarter that let New Orleans get back into the game. Both Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher had 20 points, while D-Fish sank four 3-pointers. Chris Paul, Kobe's Team USA teammate, scored 30 points, 16 of which came in the fourth quarter, with 13 assists. Andrew Bynum had 14 points with 8 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, and Pau Gasol contributed 14 as well. Kobe hit a late 3-pointer with 1:08 left in the game to stifle a late New Orleans comeback.

Lakers Come From Behind, Go 6-0

The Los Angeles Lakers did what Barack Obama did exactly a week ago: defeat Mavericks. In the Lakers' case, that would be the Dallas Mavericks. LA defeated Dallas 106-99 after trailing for a majority of the game. Dallas scored 35 points in the first quarter, 60 in the entire first half, but just 39 in the second half. Jason Kidd had a triple-double with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, and the Lakers used a 30-9 run during the third and fourth quarters to take the lead. Pau Gasol contributed with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Andrew Bynum had 11 points and 10 re's. Trevor Ariza scored 13 points, while Lamar Odom finished with 12. The Lakers go to New Orleans tomorrow to play the Hornets.