Lakers on a roll

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The Lakers are playing some of their best basketball of the season.

They have won six consecutive games -- each by double digits.

Pau Gasol has been back for five of those games after missing the first 11 with a strained right hamstring, and he has fit in seamlessly.

Four of the five Lakers’ starters are averaging in double figures.

Kobe Bryant leads the way, averaging 29.5 points per game, second best in the NBA. Gasol is next (18.4), followed by Andrew Bynum (18.3) and Ron Artest (12.2).

‘Right now, you couldn’t ask for a better scenario for our team,’ Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said after practice Monday as his team prepared to play the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night at Staples Center.

-- Broderick Turner