Lakers vs. Hornets: LIVE @ the Staples Center

I'm here reporting live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA where the Los Angeles Lakers are taking on the Charlotte Hornets.

Lakers are currently 9 - 40, while the Hornets are 22 - 25.

Pregame

• Julius Randle #30 to start for the sixth straight game coming off career-high 23 points against the Clippers on Friday

• Kobe Bryant will be a game-time decision

• Jeremy Lin is penciled in as a starter for the Hornets despite injury

• The Hornets’ offense has been revamped to revolve around the 3-point shot

• If this game goes to overtime, Hornets have the advantage due to record of overtime win

Lakers have yet to pull a win over the Hornets this season

---

1st Quarter Highlights

• The game begins, and Bryant is the 5th starter

• Lakers immediately lose the tip off, Hornets gain possession

• Slow start at first, but Hornets get on the scoreboard with a three pointer

• lakers airball

• Hornets with another 3-pointer; looks like they’re capitalizing on the spread of Lakers defense and taking 3-pointer after 3-pointer

• Lakers get on the board with a free throw and the score is 2-7

As the 1st Quarter plays out, it’s clear that the Hornets are really adhering to their 3-point strategy. The Lakers look a little lost, and are missing points left and right while scrambling to cover the Hornets offense. Jeremy Lin makes one 3-pointer, but other than that he’s not impacting the game as much as he was predicted to. Kobe is the clear star for the crowd, despite missing several baskets and throwing a couple of awkward turnover passes. Everytime he touches the ball the crowd goes wild.

• 1st Quarter ends, and the Lakers are trailing 16-21

---

2nd Quarter

• Lakers start off stronger than before, crowd goes wild every time Kobe touches, shoots, or makes the ball

• Crowd continuously chants “MVP” for Kobe

• Kobe has the most points on the board with 15 total

• third 3-pointer of the quarter

• Kobe makes another three pointer and the crowd is on their feet

• the Hornets continue to build on their 3-point strategy, and show no signs of slowing down

• Hornets hold a 52% record on the 3-point line

It’s the 2nd Quarter and the sound of the crowd shouting “Kobe” is absolutely deafining. Every time he touches the ball the crowd is on their feet screaming. Their excitement isn’t without reason- Kobe so far has highest score on the board for the Lakers, totaling 15 points with majority 3-pointers. Mix that in the the constant slideshows showing Kobe’s early career with the Hornets, snazzy clips of his journey with the lakers and the powerful “KB20” tagline on the big screen to signify the end of his career, this quarter is revving up the nostalgia big time. Despite the fan factor, the Lakers don’t really have anything else going for them this quarter. The Hornets continue to build on their 3-point strategy and hold a consistent percentage on the 3-point line. We’ll see if the Lakers can overcome the strategy in the upcoming half.

• 2nd Quarter ends and the Lakers trail 43-58

---

3rd Quarter

• Livelier game this half

• Lakers starting to gain momentum, making breakaway plays and getting points on the board

• Hornets 3-point average drops off in this quarter to 42.3%

• A lot more fouls in this quarter on both sides

• Even though Lakers are getting more points on the board, the Hornets are still surging ahead

The 3rd Quarter is a blur and it seems like the game has finally found its rhythm; for the Hornets, that is. The Lakers still trail behind by a consistent 10-13 points throughout the quarter, and continue to miss basket after basket. Although the turnovers look good, the Lakers can’t seem to capitalize, allowing the Hornets to take even more 3-pointers to increase their lead. Other Lakers players, including Nick Young and Ryan Kelly seem to be coming out of their shell this quarter, proving to be a good thing for Young, and a not-so-good-thing for Kelly. Lakers coach Byron Scott may have put him in the game to shake things up, but Kelly just managed to bring the scoring average down even more.

• Lakers end the 3rd quarter trailing 60-83

#Lakers #Hornets #NBA #basketball #KobeBryant