CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Lakers have been excellent, Anthony Davis dominating in all places on the basketball court docket whereas the scoreboard ticked up of their favor on almost each possession. The Lakers’ power was off the charts, the workforce in full management because it flew round and compelled turnovers and missed photographs. The offense was in excellent sync because it discovered both Davis or another person vast open for layups and dunks.
It was a workforce at its peak.
But it surely lasted simply 12 minutes.
Practically as shortly because the Lakers sprinted to the highest of their powers Monday in Charlotte, they plummeted to their depths, a 23-point first-quarter lead dwindling all the best way down to 2 within the fourth. Nonetheless, even with none actual momentum for the final three quarters, the Lakers managed to flee with a 112-107 win in a sport the place they by no means trailed.
Davis completed with 42 factors and 23 rebounds. His first quarter was a historic stage of domination. He made his first seven photographs and scored 21 factors whereas grabbing 11 rebounds. No participant within the final 28 years (way back to Stathead.com quarter knowledge goes) opened a sport with 21 factors and 11 rebounds within the first quarter.
Each have been greater than the complete Hornets workforce had within the first quarter.
However Charlotte, like Lakers coach JJ Redick predicted earlier than the sport, began launching three-pointers after the Lakers shut down the paint. LaMelo Ball’s second three early within the second quarter lower the result in 16, however he rolled his ankle whereas backpedaling down the court docket. He left the sport and didn’t return, taking part in solely 9 minutes.
The Hornets, although, stayed scorching from deep whereas the Lakers’ execution on each ends of the court docket cratered. LeBron James badly airballed a 3 to finish one possession. Davis was compelled to shoot off of 1 knee from 19 ft away to finish one other.
Charlotte (12-31) lower the result in eight by halftime, aided by seven Lakers turnovers within the second quarter alone.
The Lakers (26-18) by no means absolutely regained their rhythm, solely briefly sparking within the second half whereas leaving the sport grateful that they’d constructed such a big cushion early.
Jared Vanderbilt’s steal and rating within the fourth was a giant play, however lackadaisical passing and an absence of consideration threatened to value the Lakers late. The Hornets lower the result in three after the Lakers couldn’t full a cease, Charlotte getting a steal from Davis and drawing a foul from him on a missed three.
Davis, although, redeemed himself with two free throws to ice the sport, the Lakers successful their fourth in a row.
James completed with 22 factors, seven rebounds and eight assists, and Austin Reaves had 17 factors, six assists and 5 rebounds.
They play Tuesday in Philadelphia.
