NBA Triple Threat: Your (almost) daily roundup of last night's action in the Association:

LA Lakers 107, New Orleans 104 We have a race for the top spot in the West. Despite nearly blowing a 30 point lead, the Lakers pulled to just a half game back of the Hornets for the #1 seed. For those tracking the MVP race, Kobe had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Chris Paul had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 17 assists, 4 steals. The Lakers took a 19 point lead after the first quarter, and built it up to 30 before the Hornets finally woke up. The Lakers then went another run, pulling ahead by 15 in the fourth, only to see New Orleans rally again, getting within one. LA went on another mini-run though, and the Hornets couldn't get closer than five down until it was too late.

Houston 101, Phoenix 90 In case it wasn't obvious that any team in the West battle can beat any other team, this result should show it. Playing without Shane Battier, and with T-Mac suffering from a sore shoulder, the Rockets still found a way to win rather easily. They did with defense, holding Phoenix to their lowest total since Feb. 24. The Rockets are now a game and a half up on the Suns for the 5th seed.

Chicago 100, Cleveland 95 A month ago, the Cavs looked like the one team that could've prevented a Celtics-Pistons conference finals. They've played much more unevenly lately though, as this result shows. LeBron scored a team record 24 first quarter points. However, it didn't matter because the defense collapsed. That includes two big dunks of Joakim Noah. That should probably disqualify Cleveland from sleeper status right there.

Minnesota 102, Orlando 101 Even though mathematically the 3rd most ping-pong balls is just about locked up, can you guys stop winning in order to make sure?

Best Lines

• Kobe Bryant, LAL: 29 pts, 9-17 FG, 10 rebs, 8 ast, 2 stl...Yeah, he probably won the MVP tonight.
• Chris Paul, NO: 15 pts, 6 rebs, 17 ast, 4 stl...Not that CP3 was a slouch.
• Danny Granger, Ind: 30 pts, 13-25 FG, 12 rebs, 1 stl, 2 blk...The Pacers beat Philly to keep their hopes of getting slaughtered by Boston in round one alive.

Rumors du Jour

• Grizz woo Marc Gasol - There's a good brother/bad brother analogy to made here, but I'm blanking on a good one.
• Team asks permission to talk to Larry Brown - It was an Eastern Conference team. Bucks? Nets? Pacers? More blind guessing?
• TJ Ford might be moving on - He doesn't seem that willing to come off the bench, but who would trust him as a starter given his health issues?

Now it's your turn: share your thoughts on the on and off court action Friday in the NBA.