Lakers slam Hornets to advance

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Photo / AP

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol exploded for 23 of Los Angeles Lakers' 29 points in the third quarter to guide the two-time defending NBA champions to a 98-80 victory that clinched their Western Conference series against the New Orleans Hornets yesterday.

The Lakers were joined in the second round of the playoffs by the Atlanta Hawks, who held off the Orlando Magic 84-81 to clinch their Eastern Conference series 4-2.