Hornets vs Lakers Odds 2011 NBA Playoff Picks Game 5: The NBA Odds favorite (2-2) Los Angeles Lakers [-9.5] will host the surprising Sports Betting Odds underdog (2-2) New Orleans Hornets [+9.5] on Tuesday night starting at 10:30 PM ET, for a vital Game 5 matchup. This game’s opening tipoff is scheduled to 10:30 PM ET from the STAPLES Center in Downtown, Los Angeles, California, and it’ll be broadcasted live on TNT Sports.
The two-time defending champions will have to dig deep and use some of their postseason experience to push through this 
first round playoff series. With 67 postseason games in the last three years, the Lakers cannot be counted out just yet. Of course All-Star MVP, Kobe Bryant, has suffered a sprained left ankle and may not be at his best.
Bryant received various treatments right after Game 4, including ice and massages, but once they landed in Los Angeles he said he will not have an MRI done and preferred to not be aware of the extent of the injury. Bryant’s’ passion for the game and his team is evident, and he is more than aware of the importance of this upcoming game, having experienced this situation before.
Prior to winning last year’s championship, the Lakers found themselves tied in the first round with the Oklahoma City Thunder. As a matter of fact, three of their four postseason match-up series were taken to 2-2 after four games and two games in 2009. But this time around Los Angeles is going up against a determined Chris Paul.
The NBA Odds favorite Lakers game plan during Game 4 showed to be ineffective, as they lost 88-93. The Hornet’s point-guard finished the game with the first triple-double ever earned against the Lakers in 712 playoff games. CP3 has been the same problem since Game 1, when he scored 33 points and had 14 assists. Former Lakers, Trevor Ariza, also had a big game on Sunday with 19 points, and showed most of his energy in the first half with 16 of those points.
