Despite a second-half rally from the Hornets, LeBron James and the Lakers proved too steep a mountain to overcome on Thursday as Charlotte fell 116-105.
James got the hosts off to a quick start, pouring in 22 first-half points as Los Angeles built up a 15-point halftime lead. The Hornets responded in the second half by going small and erasing the entire deficit in the third period.
The Lakers, though, responded again as Charlotte never led in the second half. The Hornets came within a point in the fourth quarter after consecutive 3-pointers from Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball but could never get closer.
Ball led the Hornets with 26 points, Rozier finished with 20 and P.J. Washington had 18. James finished with a game-high 37 points in the win.
