In Game 1 of an opening round Western Conference NBA playoff game, Chris Paul poured in 33 points as well as dishing out 14 assists, grabbing 7 rebounds and collecting 4 steals to lead the New Orleans Hornets to a 109-100 victory on the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center home court. The seventh-seeded Hornets committed only three turnovers, tying an NBA playoff record, and topped 100 points in a playoff game for the first time in their last 18 postseason road games.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 34 points, but received little support from LA’s two 7-footers, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, who combined for just 21 points. Besides Bryant, only Ron Artest (16 pts, 11 rebs) produced much offensively for the Lakers. The last lead LA enjoyed came at 3:24 of the first quarter. They did pull to within one point on three occasions in the second half but could never pull even.

The series resumes Wednesday night, also at the Staples Center.