Los Angeles Lakers Schedule, Recap & News: Team Gets First Win of NBA Season Against Charlotte Hornets
The Los Angeles Lakers won their first game of the season Sunday, 107-92, against the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers improved their overall record to 1-5 this season and will play the Memphis Grizzlies next.
It looked like the Hornets were going to send the Lakers packing once again. The Hornets won the first quarter 25-18 and finished the half with a 51-42 lead. Despite trailing at home, fans at the Staples Center didn't give up. Fans cheered for the Purple and Gold all game long. The Lakers dominated the third quarter 34-14 and eventually pulled away with a 15-point victory.
Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant had their best combination game of the season.
Both Lin and Bryant had 21 points in the game. Lin had a game-high seven assists and made three perimeter shots. Lin shot 8-12 from the field and made both of his free throws. As for Bryant, he shot 7-for-20 from the field and made six free throws.
This was the first game all season that the Lakers defense did not allow more than 100 points.
Carlos Boozer played terrific against the Hornets. Without Pau Gasol, Boozer is a huge piece for the Lakers this season. Boozer had 16 points in the game, but more importantly, he scored eight of those points in the third quarter when the Lakers took the lead. Jordan Hill added six rebounds to help the Lakers have their best defensive performance of the season. The Lakers had 44 points in the paint against the Hornets.
A big factor for the Lakers in this victory was their bench play. Former No. 10 overall draft pick Ed Davis had a good game with 10 points in just 22 minutes, making all five of his shots.
It's only one win, but the Lakers had to start somewhere. The only winless team remaining in the NBA now is the 0-7 Philadelphia 76ers. The Western Conference is extremely tough to compete in with teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and so many others.
The Lakers need to keep this success going, especially the chemistry between Lin and Bryant. Bryant and Lin are the two best players on the team, and they have to be on the same page. In recent years, we've seen the Lakers more victorious when Bryant shoots the ball less. Head coach Byron Scott has to make sure every player has a somewhat limited role and doesn't take too many shots. With Julius Randle out, the Lakers need a lot of balance on offense.
As for the Hornets, they have yet to win a road game this season. Al Jefferson had a good game with a team-leading 23 points, and Lance Stephenson had 10 rebounds. The Hornets are currently in third place in the South East division behind the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.
The Lakers are still four games behind the Warriors for first place in the Pacific division and just three games behind the Phoenix Suns.
Congratulations to Charles Barkley, who can now get something to eat.
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