LAst Night's Action: Whoa, We're Half Way There

Hornets 113, Lakers 103 - After a devastating loss to Dallas on Thursday, the Lakers fizzled against a lesser team in Oklahoma City. It may have helped the Hornets that leading scorer David West returned from injury. Maurice Evens helped lead the Lakers with a team and career high of 23. Kobe also had 23, but only three points in the first half on an 0-3 performance from the field (he hit three free throws). The Lakers reached the midpoint in the season with a record of 26-15.

Clippers 112, Grizzlies 91 - It's nice to play the worst team in the league. Memphis gave the ball up 21 times, helping Sam Cassell to look healthy with 21 points and 14 assists in 36 minutes. Elton Brand contributed 34 and was perfect on eight trips to the line. The Clippers are now third in the Pacific, 6.5 games behind the Lakers and half a game ahead of Golden State. They hope that with a healthier team they can regain last year's playoff form.

Coyotes 3, Kings 2 - The Kings looked to snap a six game skid and opened the game with two goals on their first three shots. Things were still going well at the start of the third with the home team up 2-1 and new goalie Sean Burke blocking 23 of 24 shots. That ended with 16:40 to go, when Burke was pulled for dehydration. Phoenix dished out a nasty come from behind victory to give LA its seventh straight loss. The Kings are in royal trouble heading into the All Star break, dead last in the Western Conference and with the second worst record in all of hockey.

Elsewhere - Beckham, schmeckham. Team USA took down Denmark 3-1 at the Home Depot Center in Carson to give their new coach his first victory ... #3 UCLA hoops handed #11 Arizona their third straight loss ... USC hoops dealt a loss to Arizona State.

AP photo by Matt Sayles.