Thread by @tjmanotoc

First game after the @NBA All Star break for the new look @Lakers and the purple & gold jump out to a 10-6 lead vs the @hornets

Lakers hanging on to a 16-14 lead as LeBron James leads with 8 pts.

But it’s been an atrocious start for Doncic who’s only 1-3 FG with 5 turnovers.

Lakers take the 28-21 after 12 mins. Defense has been key holding down the Hornets to only 27% FG while shooting 50% from the field themselves.

Mid 2nd Q and Lakers still ahead 39-33 thanks in part to 17 bench points early on

Fans still eager to see Doncic make a run. He only has 2 pts on an open lay up and has missed 5 shots including three from 3 pt range and has 5 turn overs in 9 mins of play.

He’s expected to no longer have a minutes restriction

James back on the court to finish the last 2:30 of the half with Doncic

Luka has racked up 5 assists but still has yet to score since that early lay up. He just missed a wide open 3 with nobody within 10 feet to defend him.

Fans groaning at a virtual Luka no-show this first half

At the half, Lakers lead 48-37.

Defense has been the name of the game as Hornets only allowed 28% from the field.

Leading the Lakers:

James with 10 pts, Hachimura 10, Finney Smith 9

Hornets led by Bridges 12 and LaMelo Ball with 9

Austin Reaves just got 2 quick technical fouls for complaining to the refs and gets thrown out.

He leaves after 27 min and scoring 8 pts.

Lakers still in control 65-58 3min to go in the 3rd Q

Quick 5-0 run by the Hornets and it’s just a 2 pt ball game; 65-63 with 2 min to go in the 3rdQ

No real rhythm yet from the new Lakers duo of LeBron and Luka as fans have been anticipating.

But solid team defense has so far been holding Charlotte off.

But should be an interesting 4th Q coming up

Hornets end the quarter on an 11 - 1 run since the Reaves ejection.

Charlotte takes the 69-66 lead into the 4th quarter.

Miles Bridges leads Hornets with 23 pts and Ball has 15

The Lakers are led by Hachimura’s 14 and James’ 10. Doncic has 9 pts on 3-13 FG and 5 turnovers

Lamelo Ball with back to back threes to give the Hornets a 75-66 lead.

Charlotte stifling the Lakers’ offense with quick double teams on James. Doncic still on the bench.

A Hachimura three and a LeBron spin and floater in the lane cuts the Hornets’ lead to 4, 75-71 8:44 to go

Timeout Charlotte

A LeBron James poster slam and a pull up three ties the game at 83 with 6 min to go.

James has fueled this LA run with 9 pts in the last few mins.

Game going down the wire with the Hornets hanging on to a 93 - 92 had 1 min to go.

Rui misses a three but Doncic is there for the put back.

LAL lead 94 - 93

a three by Smith Jr gives the 96 - 94 lead back to Charlotte.

Hachimura is fouled and missed both FTs.

CHA leads 96 - 94

LaMelo Ball takes it down the lane and hits the floater in traffic to up their lead 98 - 94 with 14 seconds left.

A botched play leads to a Lebron James three to cut the lead to 1, 98 - 97 with 6.8 seconds to go. Timeout Charlotte.

Lakers are in the penalty and have a timeout left with this game potentially still being a 1 possession game if they get to foul a CHA player quick

Ball is fouled with 6.3 secs to go.

He makes both FT.

CHA leads 100 - 97.

Timeout LAL

Who gets the last three to tie the game?

A hot Lebron? A cold but anytime clutch Luka?

Rui and Vincent in the game too with Finney Smith.

All 5 can hit the three.

But wil lCHA foul

James misses a three and Vincent gets the rebound, James again at the buzzer for three, but it’s short!

CHA escapes with the come from behind victory, 100 - 97

@UnrollHelper unroll please