Hornets at Lakers quickcap

The Charlotte Hornets stepped off the plane in California looking for their third straight win against the reeling Los Angeles Lakers.

Unfotunately for the Hornets, the Lakers rode an insanely hot third quarter to a 107-92 victory.  The rally started with a number of Carlos Boozer moon ball midrange jumpshots. However, it didn't matter what sort of shot attempt the Lakers were taking as they outscored the Hornets 34-13 in the quarter.

On the bright side, the game was so out of hand that with 2:41 remaining Bismack Biyombo, Gerald Henderson, and Jannero Pargo got to see some playing time. This isn't the way fans of #BringBackTheBiz wanted to see their guy make it back onto the floor, but in a night filled with negatives at least a fan favorite made it out there.

What else needs to be said about this loss?  It was a game the Hornets really needed considering their next three games are on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns. The offense looked really lost at times, especially when the Lakers brought out the zone. Kemba Walker played pretty decently but he also continued to go under screens on Jeremy Lin who made him pay in the second half. Al Jefferson had what felt like fifteen shots go in and out. Kidd-Gilchrist played great defense on Kobe Bryant, who didn't do much of anything unless Lance Stephenson was guarding him.

Was this more the Lakers were coming off four nights of rest, whereas the Hornets were coming off a double overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks just two nights prior? Coach Clifford better hope so because the team could be looking at a 3-7 record before their next home game.