Bryant can't lead thin Lakers past Hornets
(CBS Sportsline)
Updated: 2006-02-05 15:38

Desmond Mason wanted to pressure Kobe Bryant on the defensive end. Bryant just wants his teammates to take some pressure off him on the offensive end.

New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul (3) drives the ball past Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (8) in the second half of Saturday night's NBA basketball game Feb. 4, 2006 in Oklahoma City. Hornets won 106-90. [AP]

Mason scored 21 points and Chris Paul added 19 points and 13 assists Saturday night, leading the New Orleans Hornets over Los Angeles 106-90 and past the Lakers in the Western Conference standings.

"I just wanted to be aggressive and try to put some pressure on him, make him foul," Mason said. "Try to just put pressure on him, make him play defense on that end of the floor and try to wear him down, try to run a little bit.

"I think that's what you need to do with a guy like that who can play offense like that. You just have to wear him down a little bit, and I think we did that."

Mason, guarded much of the game by Bryant, beat the Lakers star twice on New Orleans' first three possessions and the Hornets never trailed. They moved two games above .500 for the first time this season and passed the Lakers for seventh place in the West.

"Coach called my play a couple times and the guards got me the ball in some spots where I could work," Mason said. "I just wanted to put the heat on him."

Added Hornets center P.J. Brown: "I think that's key when you're going against an offensive juggernaut like Kobe Bryant. I think those guys don't like to play D. You've got to put pressure on them on the other end. I thought that's what he did early, and it meant a lot.