The Los Angeles Lakers struggled to stay in the play-in tournament and are somewhat unacceptable for the mid-season champions. After taking Reaves, Ham took Russell again, and the two major guards all played in the starting lineup, which made the Los Angeles Lakers gradually change. The team put on a starting lineup of five forwards, showing good offensive and defensive efficiency. In this game against the Hornets, Reddish was sidelined due to injury, and in this situation, Ham continued his strategy and brought Hachimura to the starting lineup.
LeBron James, who is about to be 39 years old, is still one of the best players in the league, at least, Jokic's name is still in the league's top five list. As for the Hornets, the team has suffered an eight-game losing streak, with star LaMelo Ball out injured and in terrible form.
is such a team that gave the Lakers a downturn in the first quarter. Bridges scored 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist on 4-of-5 shooting, including 3-of-3 three-pointers, Rozier also had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and the team scored 31 points in a single quarter, while the Lakers only scored 28 points, including Davis with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block, Russell had 8 points and 1 assist, and James only had 3 points and 2 assists. After returning from the second quarter, the Hornets' hand dropped, and the team only hit two three-pointers, scoring only 26 points in a single quarter.
The Lakers seized the opportunity, Davis scored 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks, Wood who returned to the rotation also had 6 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, and James had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, the team scored 30 points in a single quarter, and 58-57 at halftime ahead of the Hornets by one point. In the second half, James suddenly made a force, scoring 12 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists on 5-of-7 shooting, completely dominating the game, Davis had 8 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal, and Hachimura also had 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, the team scored 41 points in a single quarter, while the Hornets only scored 23 points, and the Lakers' lead came to 19 points.
With such a huge point difference, James and Davis did not play, and Russell and Reaves on the bench continued to expand the lead with the team, especially Reaves' serpentine breakthrough layup, which triggered James and Davis's imitation. Schifino finally got playing time, which meant the game went into garbage time. In the end, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 133-112.
The Los Angeles Lakers won the game, and the first half was still staggered, but with James' strength, the game lost suspense in an instant. After the whole game, James played 24 minutes, scored 17 points, 4 rebounds and 11 assists on 7-of-13 shooting, and the position of starting point guard was indeed no pressure. Davis also had 26 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists on 11-of-19 shooting, Hachimura who came to the starting lineup had 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist on 7-of-12 shooting, Russell on the bench had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists, Reaves had 16 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, and Christie had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Lakers played perfect team basketball, with six players in double figures and 41 assists, once again making us realize that the favorites are back. On the Hornets' side, Bridges is still the team's best player, with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists on 7-of-20 shooting, Rozier 18 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, only 5-of-14 shooting, Miller 17 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists, showing the talent of the leader, Richard 11 points and 10 rebounds, McGovins 10 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, and the starting five Tigers all scored double-doubles.