The third triple-double of Anthony Davis’ career was enough to drag the Los Angeles Lakers past a reeling Charlotte Hornets squad 124-118 at the Spectrum Center.
The Hornets – who have lost 26 of their past 29 – fell 21 points behind Los Angeles late in the third quarter before mounting an unlikely fightback.
Led by Miles Bridges (career-high 41 points, 5-of-10 threes) and reigning Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Brandon Miller (33 points, four steals), the Hornets put together an extended 39-22 run to cut the deficit to just four with 1:20 to play.
A pair of trips to the free throw line sealed it for the visitors but not without a seemingly unnecessary scare.
Davis (26 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists) put up his second triple-double in the space of a month after registering just one across his first 11 years in the association.
LeBron James (26 points, seven assists) and D’Angelo Russell (28 points, six assists) were also key whilst Austin Reaves (nine points, 11 assists) and Christian Wood (11 points, six rebounds) found ways to contribute.
The Hornets stayed in the game courtesy of their three-point edge (40.6% vs. 23.5%) and their ability to force turnovers (19 points off 16 Laker errors).
Los Angeles’ dominance on the glass (48 to 34) and in the paint (78 to 52) proved the difference.
The Lakers are back in action in a Western Conference Finals rematch against the Nuggets on Friday whilst the Hornets host the Raptors on Thursday.
