Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from win against Hornets

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers exits the court after the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 15, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 15: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers exits the court after the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 15, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Here are three lessons from the win against the Hornets for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers were in a pretty foul mood coming into Saturday’s matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers got dismissed in front of a TNT audience which was James Harden’s showcase. Along with the 50 points Harden put on the Lakers, the next 24 hours the discussion was all about the officiating (or lack thereof) during the game…

Let’s just say the officials was not a factor in this game. To be totally honest, the only question in this game was if JaVale McGee gave anyone on the bench the flu.

The Los Angeles Lakers laid the wood the Charlotte Hornets beating them 128-100. This was the most complete game of the season for the Lakers. Not only did they score well and run their fast break offense to near perfection, the defense was stifling. Lonzo Ball led a defensive charge that limited Hornets star, Kemba Walker to four points on 2-of-13 shooting.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074131823540629504

But that is not what made this night special. It was the history that was made by LeBron James and Lonzo Ball. Something that has happened only eight times in the league’s history.

LeBron James and Lonzo Ball became the first Lakers teammates to notch a triple-double in the same game in almost 40 years. The last time that happened was way back in 1982 when the “Captain” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the “Boss” Magic Johnson achieved the feat. It’s been a while since it has happened in the NBA as well. The last two teammates that accomplished the feat was Jason Kidd and Vince Carter back in 2007 playing for the Nets. To put this in perspective, the franchise was in New Jersey.

To be totally frank, the Charlotte Hornets did not have a chance in this game with lead ballooning as high as 30 at one point, but that has nothing to do with the Lakers. Take that up with the Hornets. Los Angeles did what they were supposed to do.

What was most important is that the Lakers did not allow themselves to play down to their competition and executed the game plan and pushed the pace.

If you need to know who led the way…Well Just press play?

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1074409041265332225

Let’s start with the record setters shall we?