New Orleans (32-35) at LA Lakers (37-34) 9:30 pm EST

— -- New Orleans (32-35) at LA Lakers (37-34) 9:30 pm EST LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers can strengthen their playoff chances while delivering a damaging blow to those of the New Orleans Hornets when the teams meet Sunday. Entering the contest, the Lakers sit in seventh place in the Western Conference, four games behind Memphis and one ahead of Sacramento. The Hornets are two games behind the Kings. The teams are heading in opposite directions as Los Angeles has won three straight and the Hornets are 1-10 in their last 11 games. The Lakers improved to 2-0 on their four-game homestand after Friday's 101-96 victory over Milwaukee. Kobe Bryant scored 43 points and got Los Angeles off to a fast start before it held on. Kwame Brown continued his recent resurgence with 16 points and nine rebounds. During the Lakers' winning streak, Brown is averaging 16 points on 65 percent (19-of-29) shooting and 10 rebounds. The Hornets began a crucial four-game road trip with Friday's 96-82 loss to Chicago. Rookie Chris Paul led the Hornets with a paltry 13 points. Bryant had 40 points in Los Angeles' 113-107 victory over the Hornets in New Orleans on March 8.