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Keys to the Game

Guys, I've got no idea where to start with this one, so let's just go from the beginning.

New Orleans is a terrific team as far as lottery squads go, and they qualified both parts of that statement tonight. Holding and battling to a 25-point lead thanks to Dwight Howard's foul trouble, New Orleans had so much pep in their step that a comeback was laughable.

Any time Los Angeles was able to cut the lead to 19 or even 16 points, New Orleans just put it back at 20.

There was a single possession in which they showed their cards, however. Anthony Davis wrestled an offensive rebound down and reversed it out to Eric Gordon late in the third quarter. The shot clock reset and New Orleans went about running it down to five second before clanking a shot off the rim.

Right there Los Angeles was able to see that they were playing not to lose for the rest of the game. They weren't comfortable gambling anymore, and instead playing prevent defense.

The fourth quarter came, and while it was a total team effort, all glory goes to Kobe Bryant for initiating the comeback.

While the rest of the team was keen to slump their shoulders and walk the ball up the court, Kobe forced the issue, got into the lane at will, and constantly forced the ball into the open shooter's hands.

Jodie Meeks hit threes, Dwight Howard and Metta played defense, and the game turned. What else is there to say?

Lakers 108, Hornets 102, Final.

Let me toss up the box score from this one and then we can try to make some sense out of what just happened. First the Lakers:

Via: NBA.com

And the Hornets:

Via: NBA.com

Lakers 108, Hornets 102, Final.

Hornets fall, Lakers somehow triumph. Basketball is weird.

Lakers 108, Hornets 102, Final.

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An hour ago the Lakers were down by over 20 points and the Utah Jazz were beating the Cleveland Cavaliers by eight points with three minutes left.

Utah lost in Cleveland and Los Angeles turned their game around in the fourth to beat the Pelicans.

Honestly, this is one of the most amazing things you can see in all of basketball.

Lakers 108, Hornets 102 with 0:05 left in the fourth.

Roger Mason Jr. gets stripped by Metta (because Roger Mason is the dude you want shooting at the end of games), and Metta goes to the line.

Lakers 106, Hornets 102 with 0:19 left in the fourth.

Los Angeles' second fast-break of the game comes off the inbound play, as New Orleans forgets about Kobe Bryant.

What is happening?!

Lakers 106, Lakers 102 with 0:23 left in the fourth.

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Lopez gets the ball in the post and is met at the top of his shot by Dwight, who sends it right back to him. Lakers ball.

Lakers 104, Hornets 102 with 0:25 left in the fourth.

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Kobe on Lopez. Kobe over Lopez. Kobe happy, Lopez sad.

Lakers 104, Hornets 102 with 0:36 left in the fourth.

Eric Gordon takes the inbound (because why not?) and steps on the sideline. Lakers ball.

Hornets 102, Lakers 102 with 0:49 left in the fourth.

The @lakers have rallied back from 25 down to tie the @hornets at 102 with 54 seconds left. #Vino leading the charge with 36 points.

— NBA (@NBA) March 7, 2013

Hornets are just too young. Don't have a veteran playmaker to settle things down and execute.

— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) March 7, 2013

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The Lakers are playing defense suddenly. Greivis Vasquez misses everything and ends up with a 24-second violation.

Kobe hits a layup past Lopez and ties the game.

I'm speechless.

Hornets 102, Lakers 102 with 1:13 left in the fourth.

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Lopez slips past Howard and misses a dunk, and Jodie Meeks sinks a three.

Hornets 102, Lakers 100 with 2:53 left in the fourth.

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Kobe gets to the rim and scores as four of five Hornets defenders collapse on him.

Timeout New Orleans.

Hornets 102, Lakers 97 with 3:38 left in the fourth.

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Kobe three. This is a game.

Hornets 102, Lakers 95 with 4:26 left in the fourth.

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Lopez loses the ball out of bounds, Los Angeles counters with a Jodie Meeks three. This isn't for real, right?

Hornets 102, Lakers 92 with 4:58 left in the fourth.

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Kobe-Howard connection makes it a 12-point game. For reals?

Lopez stretches it back out with a bucket in the paint, to nobody's surprise.

Hornets 102, Lakers 89 with 6:22 left in the fourth.

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Robin Lopez is giving no ground to Dwight. Solid defense from him in the last few minutes.

Three-ball from Meeks falls, however.

Hornets 100, Lakers 86 with 7:27 left in the fourth.

Los Angeles' broadcast crew is getting a bit of pep in their voice after a Jodie Meeks three falls. Somebody tell them to temper the enthusiasm, I don't want to see them get hurt.

Hornets 98, Lakers 83 with 8:55 left in the fourth.

Kobe shots this quarter: 3.

Hornets shots this quarter: 1.

Here's a solid Kobe assist to jog your memory of what one looks like.

Hornets 96, Lakers 80 with 10:17 left in the fourth.

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As the rest of the squad on the floor floats around, Kobe is in full-on, "Screw you guys, I'm not passing" mode.

Hornets 93, Lakers 78 with 11:36 left in the fourth.

We've got a blowout happening in favor of the Hornets, so of course all the highlights posted have been for the Lakers.

Nonetheless, here's a nice streak into the lane from Kobe in the first half.

Hornets 93, Lakers 75 after the third.

Lakers trade a two for a three, let's just go ahead and call this one.

Hornets 90, Lakers 72 with 1:30 left in the third.

Greivis Vasquez is totally wearing down Kobe on offense, but you can say the same thing about Kobe with Aminu on the other end.

Hornets 87, Lakers 70 with 2:21 left in the third.

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It seems that we're on our way back into the Kobe System for LA. Baseline cut and a layup for the Mamba.

Hornets 85, Lakers 66 with 4:00 left in the third.