Lakers Secure Spectacular Victory Against The GOAT Michael Jordan’s Team Hornets in 2023’s Final Home Showdown
The Charlotte Hornets visited the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday evening for their final home contest of 2023.
The Lakers attempted to regain their footing following a disheartening Christmas Day loss to the Boston Celtics. They accomplished this by triumphing over the Hornets 133-112 and improving to 17-15 on the season.
Rui Hachimura was substituted for the groin-injured Cam Reddish in the enormous starting lineup constructed by Darvin Ham, which also included LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Taurean Prince.
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Unsurprisingly, Hachimura scored first by converting a larceny that was succeeded by a dunk in transition. Davis also got off to a fast start with some uncontested baskets, including Miles Bridges’ poster dunk.
Beyond James’ early triple, the Hornets took a 15-13 lead on deep passes from Terry Rozier and Bridges.
The Lakers subsequently became extremely cold, while the Hornets maintained their intensity from the outset to extend their lead to nine. The Lakers’ reserve players, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, reduced the deficit to 31-28 in the first half by providing much-needed offense.
The Lakers tied the game early in the second period on three-pointers from Max Christie and Hachimura, who both completed three-point plays.
The Hornets responded with a 9-0 run, which the Lakers regained when Davis blocked and converted a jumper. Davis subsequently buried an additional poster, but was penalized with a technical foul for taunting. James provided assistance to Davis on an alley-oop attempt that resulted in an additional dunk, thereby ensuring that the Lakers maintained a 58-57 lead at the break.
After a lackluster first half, James got the celebration began in the third quarter with a few baskets, and Bridges did the same for Charlotte.
The Lakers were subsequently able to gain some ground, as James and Davis extended the lead to double digits by dominating the interior.
The Lakers maintained a strong close to the quarter, led by Russell and Reaves, who extended the lead to 99-80 heading into the fourth quarter, despite Davis’ eventual substitution due to foul trouble. As the Lakers continued to load on runs, Christian Wood capitalized on an additional opportunity in the rotation by hitting a triple to begin the fourth inning. Due to the effective extension of the lead by the Lakers’ reserves, James and Davis were able to recuperate significantly in the fourth quarter without the need to return later in the game.
As the Lakers cruised to victory, Reaves and Russell’s consistent ability to procure baskets of their choosing energized the crowd.