Christmas promises to be gloomy on the Lakers side. After heavy defeats against the Suns, then the Kings, the Californians lost for the third time in a row against one of the weakest teams in the league, the Hornets (130-134). The latter, after eight defeats in a row, find some color with this second success in three games, at the heart of a critical “road trip” in the West.
After a hyper offensive and perfectly balanced first period (67-67), the Hornets began to escape the score thanks to a 16-2 inflicted (69-83) just after going to the locker room, in just four minutes. Discreet so far, Terry Rozier has done a lot of harm to the Lakers in a transition game smoothly orchestrated by LaMelo Ball.
By taking a new time-out, Darvin Ham then had the good idea to call on his replacements to revitalize the Lakers’ game. The entry of Russell Westbrook to accelerate the attack, and above all of an excellent Austin Reaves had a direct effect. With them, Los Angeles returned to two possessions (87-92). Charlotte, however, managed to regain and consolidate a lead of ten points in the following minutes.
In addition to Austin Reaves, LeBron James was responsible for leading the revolt. The “King” chained the finishes to the circle and as his team did not lack address at 3-pointers this evening, the Lakers returned to a tie with 40 seconds remaining (130-130). They also had the keys in hand to go back in front but their four-on-one counter-attack ended… in a loose ball. Behind, Gordon Hayward managed to score near the circle with a “goaltending” from James.
The latter, with six seconds to play, thought he was going to the circle to equalize on the very last possession. But losing a shoe en route, he had to serve a lone Dennis Schroder in the corner who was unable to score from 3-point range.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Fatal transitions. To a lost ball, Lakers and Hornets finished with the same total of “turnovers”. But the big difference was made on the consequences of these ball losses. Charlotte sanctioned up to 32 points scored after these recovered balls, where the Lakers only scored 11. Differential comparable to the level of points in counter-attack (29-10). Charlotte shone in transition where Los Angeles, like this four against a missed in the “money time”, lacked realism.
– The Lakers 3-Point Party. The Californians came very close to giving up their last place in the ranking of the teams that scored the fewest 3-pointers in the league (just under 10 before this game). Tonight, LeBron James, Patrick Beverley or Austin Reaves participated in the Lakers’ best night of the year in the field, with a total of 19 baskets. Their opponents, not much better placed in the 3-point standings (in volume and success), also had a great evening of skill.
– The exit of Thomas Bryant. Hornets and Lakers finished the game without a pivot. Three minutes from the end, Thomas Bryant joined the locker room prematurely after visibly injuring his shoulder on an action where he lost the ball in attack, against Mason Plumlee (sent to the bench after his exit). We must monitor the seriousness of this injury for the Lakers who must already deal without Anthony Davis.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ LeBron James. 34 points without scoring a single free throw, remarkable efficiency (15/23)… Despite defensive oversights against PJ Washington in the final moments, the “King” signed a high quality match. He still scored 18 points in the last quarter when his team really needed it.
✅ Five of the Hornets. Only evaluations at 20 units or more for Charlotte incumbents. LaMelo Ball overdid the long-range shot a bit but distributed the game well. Terry Rozier woke up in the second half to “scoring” while Mason Plumlee and PJ Washington, decisive in the last moments, ensured in the racket. Finally Gordon Hayward played a role of facilitator with the winning basket and a +14 to the score.
✅ The Lakers bench. Overall very positive impact of the Californian substitutes starting with Russell Westbrook who did a lot of good in transition, a dynamic Wenyen Gabriel in the racquet and an Austin Reaves still excellent to create the gaps.
⛔ Max Christie. Despite ten minutes of play, the rookie brought nothing to the Lakers game.
LEBRON’S SHOE
This is one of the images of the evening. LeBron James sat on the floor of the Crypto.com Arena, disappointed. He just lost his shoe when he thought he could send both teams into overtime, on the last possession, in penetration. Instead, he had to resort to serving Schroder from the corner.
THE FOLLOWING
Lakers (13-19) : beginning of the “road trip” in Dallas, Sunday.
Hornets (9-24) : trip to Portland, Monday.
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