Charlotte Hornets beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 109-104

Charlotte Hornets beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 109 to 104. Charlotte has won five straight against the Lakers and two of their last three games, while the Lakers have lost five straight and 16 of their last 20. Charlotte’s starting center Cody Zeller returned after missing six games with soreness in his quadriceps. He was on minutes’ restriction and came off the bench. He scored six points in 19 minutes of play. The Lakers started the game on fire, hitting their first five shots, but the Hornets stayed in it with help from first three of their shots being three-pointers. Charlotte would go on a 13-0 run to push their lead to six, but the Lakers responded with a 10-0 run to tie the game, but the Hornets would lead 58-55 at the half. After Clarkson put the Lakers ahead on a layup with 2:23 to play in the fourth quarter, Walker answered with a three-pointer. Then Marvin Williams then hit a three-pointer with the shot-clock winding down to put Charlotte up 103-98 with a minute left. Russell would hit back-back three-pointers in the final seconds of the game to cut the Hornets lead to just three, but Kemba four clutch free throws sealed the win for the Hornets.

            The MVP for the Hornets this game would be Kemba Walker who scored 30 points and dished out 7 assists. It’s the first time in his career where he has scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games. The 11 points in the fourth quarter from Kemba, helped the Hornets get the win. But the player who has been playing outstanding since the start of February is Frank Kaminsky who been averaging 18 points, which ranks third among NBA sophomores. The only alarming thing about this game was the Hornets gave up 22 fast break points. Most of those of points come from seals since the Lakers had 9 steals, The Hornets aren’t known for turning the ball over or allowing so many fast break points in a single game. But, on the bright side, it was nice to see Cody back on the court, he looked great besides looking a little bit out of shape which is understandable. The leading scorers for the Hornets this game were Frank Kaminsky with 24 points 12 rebounds, Marvin Williams with 16 points, Marco Belinelli with 11 points. The leading scorers for the Lakers were Julius Randle with 23 points, 18 rebounds 8 assists, D’Angelo Russell with 23 points 9 assists, Jordan Clarkson with 16 points, Nick Young with 15 points. Charlotte Hornets (26-24) go against the Phoenix Suns Thursday night. 

Charlotte Hornets beat the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night, 117 to 113

Charlotte Hornets rallied from 19 down to beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 117-113 Tuesday night. This was probably the most entertaining Hornets game I’ve watched this year, there so many emotions and the high and lows I went through this game, it was just a fun game to watch. Hornets got their second straight victory, while the Lakers lose their 10^th time in their lost 11 games. Los Angeles made 12 three-pointers on 18 attempts in the first half, Clarkson started the game 5 for 5 from the three-point line in the first half, sending them to a season high in points in a half to take a 73-59 lead at halftime. The Hornets would go on a 15-point run in the third quarter, to close the gap within two, but the Lakers would grow the lead back up double digits. The Hornets would rally back in the fourth quarter led by Marco Belienelli 11 points in the quarter and with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter Kemba Walker grabbed his missed shot and passed it out to Nic Batum who drove in and made a fade away bankshot with 13 seconds left to give the Hornets the lead and would eventually be the game winning shot.

            My MVP for the Hornets this game would be Kemba Walker who scored 28 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds. He helped the Hornets get back into it by scoring 15 points in the third quarter and not seating out any of the second half. That’s the reason he our captain and why he should be an All-Star this year. Other scoring leaders for the Hornets are Nicolas Batum with 23 points 10 assists 5 rebounds, Cody Zeller with 11 points 5 rebounds. Six Hornets scored in double-digits, while Charlotte shot 46% from the field and 44% from the three-point line. One big stats from Tuesday night game was the Hornets 16 offensive rebounds, who helped get the Hornets rally back and would help the Hornets eventually win the game. The Hornets need to work on the defense the few days through, gave up too many wide-out shots, going under screens and getting beat by their man. Lakers top scores was Jordan Clarkson with 25 points shooting 7 from 9 from the three-point line, Nick Young with 24 points and D’Angelo Russell with 15 points. Charlotte Hornets (16-13) host the Chicago Bulls Friday night.