NBA Playoffs, Early Round Classics Season 2011 Episode 3 New Orleans vs L.A. Lakers Game #1 04/17/2011

In the third episode of NBA Playoffs, Early Round Classics season 2011, viewers are taken back to April 17, 2011 for the highly anticipated Game 1 matchup between the New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers. This game was set to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to make their mark early on in the playoffs.

For the Hornets, this game would be their first playoff appearance in three years and they were ready to make a statement. Led by Chris Paul, the Hornets had a well-rounded offense with several players capable of scoring big. On the other side, the Lakers were no strangers to the playoffs and were looking to continue their dominance with their superstar Kobe Bryant leading the way.

The game started with the Lakers taking control early on, with strong performances from Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. However, the Hornets weren't going down without a fight and quickly caught up, with Chris Paul leading the team with his quick moves and great ball-handling skills. The first quarter ended in a tie, setting the tone for a tightly contested game.

The second quarter saw the Lakers regaining control with Kobe Bryant showing his dominance with some great shots and assists. However, the Hornets were not far behind, with great scoring performances from Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack. The Lakers ended the quarter with a slight lead, but the Hornets were showing that they were capable of coming back.

In the second half, the game became even more intense, with both teams giving it their all. The Lakers continued to rely on Kobe's scoring abilities, while the Hornets had strong performances from Emeka Okafor and Carl Landry. The game was tied at the end of the third quarter, setting up an exciting finish.

The fourth quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with neither team able to take a significant lead. Kobe continued to lead the Lakers, while Chris Paul was doing everything he could to keep the Hornets in the game. With only a few seconds left, the game was tied, setting up a dramatic finish.

With just seconds left on the clock, the Hornets had the ball and a chance to win the game. Chris Paul took the ball and drove towards the basket, but his shot was blocked by Lakers forward Lamar Odom. The game was going into overtime, and the excitement was palpable.

In overtime, the Lakers managed to take control, with Kobe scoring some important baskets. The Hornets tried to come back, but it was too late, and the Lakers won the game 103-109. It was a hard-fought battle with both teams playing at their best, but in the end, the Lakers were able to come out on top.

Overall, this was an exciting game for viewers to watch and a great start to what promised to be an intense playoff series. With strong performances from both teams, it was clear that there was a lot more basketball to come in the following games. This episode of NBA Playoffs, Early Round Classics season 2011 is a must-watch for any basketball fan looking for an exciting game of playoff basketball.