Lakers increasingly down, also mocked by the Hornets

Game 32: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets. Cover: LeBron James loses a shoe in the fourth quarter (Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
With the Phoenix and Sacramento losses on their backs, i Los Angeles Lakers 💜💛 (13-18) return to the friendly walls to face the Charlotte Hornets (8-24), returning from nine defeats in the last ten games played.
THE yellowViolet they are devoid of Anthony Davis and Juan Toscano-Anderson, while Reaves and Westbrook are available again. THE hornets they don’t have Dennis Smith Jr. and Cody Martin. Ham fields Schröder, Beverley, Walker IV, James and Bryant; Clifford replies with Ball, Rozier, Hayward, Washington and Plumlee.
🏀 Lakers vs. Hornets: Game Recap
The Californians start by gifting possessions to Charlotte, who she thanks and converts with La Melo Ball. As the minutes passed, James e Lonnie Walker IV the engines warm up, so the hosts put their heads back in the middle of the first quarter. The first changes benefit the Lakers, who thanks to Russell Westbrook and Reaves also reach +9. However, in the final time they attack badly and defend worse, allowing a Gordon Hayward to bring the Hornets back: 31-27 at the end of the first quarter.
AR attacks off the dribble! 🔨 pic.twitter.com/nkfpIpDZGw — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 24, 2022
The Los Angelenos flounder and Charlotte takes advantage of it to reach the double-digit lead with Kelly Oubre Jr.before a triple from Beverley stops the run (12-1) gods hornets. The Lakers are unable to impose their pace, but still cancel the disadvantage thanks to three-pointers from Bryant, Westbrook and Dennis Schröder.
brodie bring forward the angelinithen the branded counter-overtaking Theo Maledon it is neutralized by the triple on LeBron’s siren: 67-67 at the long interval.
🤦🏻 ♂️ The Lakers defense overwhelmed by the Hornets
Back on the field, the effort of the Californians is embarrassing: a couple of losses are punished by three-pointers from Hayward and Rozier while the obscene defense in transition is mocked by Ball. James and Walker IV try to stop the run of Charlotte (16-2), who runs away with two more threes from LaMelo and Terry Rozier and forces Ham into the second timeout in a few minutes: 72-88 with 6:20 on the clock.
The Lakers bench tries to close the gap: Wenyen Gabriel he makes himself felt on an offensive rebound, Reaves hits from three and serves Troy Brown Jr. on the perimeter. Westbrook scores and assists Austin floater. The momentum of the Angelenos runs out and the Hornets close the fraction with the baskets of Jalen McDaniels and Rozier: 87-97 at the last mini-break.
The attack angelino it’s confusing, but Gabriel’s energy is a precious triple of Thomas Bryant denies Charlotte the decisive draw. James tries to shake himself and his teammates by hitting in transition, but good Nello’s Swiss watch is punctual with a triple in transition Scary Terry: 100-110 at 7:29 from the siren.
Walker IV supports James in attack, who shortens with a couple of layups and returns from the arc to the three-point play of PJ Washington. But LeBron’s effort is thwarted by the disastrous Californian defense, punctured repeatedly by Pistol 3J and the relentless Rozier. Bryant has to leave the field and Darvin Ham decides to bet on Small’ Bron Five without long tenure. Westbrook and Beverley make threes as they unleash it LeBron James (18 in the fraction) responds blow by blow to Ball and Washington. The four-time MVP assists Austin Reaves in the paint, then scores the 130 layup all with 42″ on the clock.
Ball gives the Lakers a possession, but the Reaves/Beverley/Westbrook trio mess in the transition. Rozier shoots from three, but Hayward is the quickest to rebound and places the pass with the help of James’ goaltending. The Lakers have the opportunity to confirm that they are the worst team in the NBA clutch and they don’t waste it: LeBron attacks the paint, loses a shoe but still manages to serve Schröder in the corner. Sdeng! From the line Washington sets the final 130-134. Even the Hornets celebrate over the corpse of the Lakers, who in defiance of Arab wisdom appear to be anything but lions.
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📊 Stats & Box Score
James finishes with 34 points (15/23 from the field with 4/8 from the arc and 0/2 from the line), 2 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal and 3 turnovers in 34 minutes. Also in double figures Reaves (20+2+2 with 3/6 from the arc, 1 steal and 3 turnover), Westbrook (17+5+7 with 6/12 shooting and 3 lost), Walker IV (15+3 with 4/13 from the field), Gabriel (13+7 without errors from the field) and Beverley (11+6+3). Schröder (9+4+5), Bryant (8+13), Brown Jr. (1/5 from three) and Christie are also on the scoresheet). DNP for Jones and Nunn.
The Hornets’ top scorer is Washington (24+5+4 and 4 stocks with 8/13 from the field). In double figures also Ball (23+8+8), Rozier (23+4+6), Oubre Jr. (19+5), Hayward (15+6+4) and Plumlee (11+8+3).
Box Score at NBA.com
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📺 Lakers vs. Hornets: Highlights
Highlights: The #Lakers were down 16 and clawed their way back in the fourth but came up short 134-130.https://t.co/jQ6olzBI4Q — Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 24, 2022
🗨️ Post Game Quotes
Read the statements by the protagonists of the game between Lakers and Hornets:
🚦 Plus & Minus
read theanalysis of the positive and negative aspects of the crypto.com Arena match:
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🏆 Lakers vs. Hornets: Fan Survey
📊 Vote for your MVP of the match between Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets! ✔️ Pick your Game MVP! Let’s Vote!#LakeShow #LetsFly #NBA — LakeShow Italy (@LakeShowIta) December 24, 2022
📅Next Game
THE Los Angeles Lakers back on the field (20:30 🇮🇹) Sunday 25 December to face the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
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