Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony, Lakers Hold Off LaMelo Ball, Hornets in OT
The Los Angeles Lakers stopped a two-game skid Monday with a 126-123 overtime win at home over the Charlotte Hornets. Anthony Davis led the team with 32 points and Carmelo Anthony added 29 points with seven three-pointers as Los Angeles improved to 6-5.
Facing the second-ranked offense in the NBA, the struggling Lakers defense allowed Charlotte to surge late with a 16-5 run in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Lakers entered Monday's contest allowing 111.3 points per game, the fourth-worst mark in the league.
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Los Angeles was without star forward LeBron James, who continues to sit out with an abdominal strain.
The Hornets fell to 5-7 after their fifth straight loss. Terry Rozier had a team-high 29 points and LaMelo Ball had the second triple-double of his career with 25 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
Notable Player Stats
F Anthony Davis, LAL: 32 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks
F Carmelo Anthony, LAL: 29 points (7-of-10 3-pt FG)
G Russell Westbrook, LAL: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 14 assists
G Terry Rozier, CHA: 29 points
G LaMelo Ball, CHA: 25 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists
F Gordon Hayward, CHA: 21 points
Anthony Davis Makes His Presence Felt at Both Ends
Davis was the star of the show for Los Angeles as he made plays on offense and defense. The 28-year-old big man took advantage of Charlotte's lack of size to do some damage on the inside, and he did a good job of protecting the rim.
The Lakers fell behind by eight in the third quarter and ended the frame on a 24-9 run, and Davis was a key catalyst to the comeback. He scored 11 of his 32 points in the period and added two blocks. Davis finished the night with a season-high five swats.
Los Angeles ended the third quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer from halfcourt by Malik Monk.
The Lakers built a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter before allowing the Hornets back into the game. A back-breaking sequence came in that period when multiple technical fouls allowed the Hornets to cut into the lead at the free throw line.
In the extra period, Davis came up big again with some timely baskets. He also had a huge block on Rozier on Charlotte's final possession to try to force a second overtime.
Davis had been dealing with a thumb sprain that had him listed as questionable for Monday night's contest. With James already out of the lineup, Los Angeles would struggle mightily if Davis were to sit out.
After a down year in 2020-21 in which he was limited to 36 games because of injuries, Davis looks to be back at full strength and performing at the level that helped the Lakers win the NBA championship two years ago. If Davis can keep this up, he will be in the MVP conversation at season's end.
Hornets' Pace Leads to Mixed Bag of Success and Sloppiness
It's no secret that the Hornets to play fast, and early on it helped them keep the game close. Ball and Co. were able to get up and down the floor and outwork their veteran opponents.
Charlotte trailed by one at halftime but was able to build an eight-point lead in the third quarter thanks in part to speeding the game up.
But it wasn't all good for Charlotte, as it failed to take care of the ball. The Hornets finished with 18 turnovers, which allowed Los Angeles to take the lead and pull away. Charlotte was able to come back and tie the game late to force overtime when the Lakers allowed more looks in transition.
Charlotte jumped out to an early four-point lead in the extra period, but couldn't get enough good looks in the halfcourt as Los Angeles took over late.
The Hornets are a talented young team, but they will have to do a better job of avoiding costly turnovers. Charlotte has the chance to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this season, but it will have to clean things up if it hopes to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.
What's Next?
The Lakers will host the Miami Heat on Wednesday in the second game of a five-game homestand. The Hornets will look to end their skid in the final matchup of their five-game road trip on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
