Game #29 – December 15, 2018
	128	-	100
Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC

Team Leaders Lakers

Points – James 24, McGee 19, Ball 16

Rebounds – James 12, Ball 10, McGee 6

Assists – James 11, Ball 10, 2 Players Tied With 4

Team Leaders Hornets

Points – Monk 19, Bridges 17, Lamb 12

Rebounds – Zeller 7, Hernangomez 6, 2 Players Tied With 5

Assists – Graham 6, Walker 3, Zeller 3

Lakers @ Hornets – Box Score 12.15.18

Kobe Bryant pours in two of his 33 against the Knicks.

The Lakers had no problems putting away the Knicks early for the second time this season, as they rolled over the New Yorkers 113-96 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

Kobe Bryant was the star on this night, unleashing his entire repertoire of shots on the star-filled New York crowd, as he played yet another stellar game in one of the NBA’s most-storied buildings.

Bryant finished the game with 33 points and 10 rebounds on 12-17 shooting from the floor, playing just under 29 minutes. He scored 19 of his 33 in the first quarter, including a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper that put the Lakers up 30-28 after one.

Pau Gasol had a solid game with 20 points and six rebounds, and he also got a long rest on the bench as the Lakers led by double-figures for most of the night.

Lamar Odom had 14 points off the bench, Andrew Bynum scored 12 points and grabbed nine boards, and Shannon Brown hit six of his 10 shots, including a highlight-reel alley-oop dunk in the second quarter, en route to 12 points.

The Knicks stayed close early, trailed by just two after one quarter, and took the lead early in the second. But the Lakers’ bench came in and took the game away from the home team, and the Lakers built a 62-48 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Bryant hit a jumper over Danilo Gallinari to put the Lakers up 70-52. The Knicks then made their last real run of the night, going on a 10-1 burst to close to within nine at 71-62. But the Lakers responded and scored six straight, culminating with a three-pointer by Bryant from the right side to go up 77-62. New York never got closer than 11 points the rest of the game, trailing by as many as 20 in the fourth quarter, as the champs cruised to the easy victory.

The Lakers shot 53.6% (45-84) from the field for the game, and 6-15 (40.0%) from the three-point line. But it was their defense that was most-impressive on this night, as they held the high-scoring Knicks to just 41.2% (32-85) from the floor and a miserable 5-20 (25.0%) from beyond the arc. New York did outrebound the Lakers 44-41, but most of that rebound advantage was gained in the fourth quarter with the game well over.

Amar’e Stoudemire led the Knicks with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 9-20 from the field, turning the ball over six times, and picking up a technical foul. Raymond Felton had a solid all-around game with 20 points and seven assist on 7-12 from the floor. Gallanari had 14 points, but hit just 4-15 from the field, including 0-6 from beyond the arc.

The Knicks have now lost to the Lakers eight straight times, including four in a row at Madison Square Garden. The Lakers moved their road record to 19-8, which surprisingly now matches their home record.

Los Angeles is now 4-0 on their current road trip, which takes them next to Orlando to go up against Dwight Howard and the Magic for the first time this season on Sunday. From there they head to Charlotte on Monday, and finish off the seven-game trip on Wednesday against the woeful Cleveland Cavaliers.

Link: Lakers @ Knicks Box Score

Kobe Bryant makes circus shot against Nets.

The New Jersey Nets, one of the league’s doormats, certainly has not made life easy for the defending NBA champs in two games this season. The Lakers had their hands full again on Friday night, but led by Kobe Bryant, were able to get a 100-88 win over the Nets at Staples Center.

Bryant scored a team-high 27 points, to go along with four assists and four rebounds, as the Lakers beat the Nets for the seventh straight time.  But it wasn’t easy.

The Nets led after one quarter 24-22, as Brook Lopez shredded the Lakers down low all game long.  The Lakers recpatured the lead 45-40 by halftime, but never were able to shake New Jersey completely in the second half.

During the second 24 minutes, the Lakers had the lead up to double-digits on a few occasions, but the Nets simply would not go away, led by the play of Lopez and former Lakers Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic.  And with all the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors surrounding team, their focused effort was even more impressive.

The Lakers made enough good plays in the fourth quarter and kept the visitors at arm’s length to get the win.  It was Los Angeles’ seventh straight victory, their longest since opening the season with eight consecutive wins.

Pau Gasol scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds in under 33 minutes.  He also blocked four shots.  Lamar Odom had 14 points and a 11 rebounds off the bench, and Ron Artest played a solid game, scoring 14 points on 5-7 shooting from the field.   Andrew Bynum was in foul trouble all game long, and managed just two points and five rebounds in 22 minutes.

The Lakers shot 49.3% (35-71) from the field, hit 25-35 free throws, and committed only nine turnovers.  Their downfall was on the glass, as the Nets held the rebound edge 45-38, including 15-7 at the offensive end.  The second chances allowed New Jersey to take 14 more shots from the field, which kept them in the game, despite shooting just 42.4% (36-85) from the floor.

Lopez had a huge game, with 35 points on 13-19 from the floor.  He was just two off his career-high of 37 points.  He also added six rebounds and four assists.

Farmar and Vujacic got warm ovations from Lakers’ fans in their first games back at Staples Center.   Vujacic was second on the team in scoring, tallying 17 points on 7-16 from the field off the bench.  Farmar also had a nice game with 12 points, also coming off the bench.  They were the only two players in double-figures besides Lopez.

The Lakers next game is Sunday at Staples Center against the Clippers.  The Clippers will be the designated home team for the game, and are playing much better ball as of late, including a shocking 111-105 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. The Lakers beat the Clippers 87-86 back on December 8th, on a running layup by Derek Fisher at the buzzer.

Link: Lakers vs. Nets Box Score