Double Triple-Doubles.
LeBron James and Lonzo Ball each had a triple-double, and the Los Angeles Lakers stung the Charlotte Hornets, 128-100, on Saturday night at the Spectrum Center.
James finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, and Ball had 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, as they became the first Lakers duo since Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar on Jan. 22, 1982 against the Detroit Pistons to each have a triple-double in a game.
"We just tried to do a little bit of everything to help our team win," said James. "We're one in the same when it comes to our playmaking ability. We're always looking for our teammates. Anytime you can put yourself in the conversation with Laker history, and all guys who have come through this franchise, it's pretty special."
The last time it occurred in the NBA was in 2007 when Jason Kidd and Vince Carter each had a triple-double for the New Jersey Nets.
"I know it's not easy," joked head coach Luke Walton of the accomplishment. "There have been a lot of good players in Lakers history and I figured Walton (Luke) and Kobe (Bryant) would have done it a few times."
The Lakers essentialy led from wire-to-wire, as they opened the game up in the second half, taking a seven-point lead into the lockerroom, and turning it into a 30-point lead by the end of the third quarter.
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James was particular unstoppable when penetrating to the hoop, helping the Lakers outscore the Hornets 40-17 in the third quarter, as he did not need to play in the fourth quarter.
"We pride ourselves on not losing two in a row," said James after the team lost to the Houston Rockets two nights prior. "We had a tough one in Houston. We knew they [Hornets] played last night and took a bad hit late in that game, and we just to hit them again. We started from the start to the finish."
Ball played into the fourth quarter to earn his third career triple-double of his career, finishing 7 of 11 from the field, with five steals, helping hand the Hornets their worst loss of the season on the second night of a back-to-back.
"They told me at the start of the fourth they wanted me to get it and I got it for them," Ball said of the triple-double. "It's a dream come true."
James noticed the stellar play of his point guard and admitted the team goes as Lonzo goes.
"He's the head of the snake," said James. "It was a great game for him."
Javale McGee had 19 points and three blocks despite being sick with the flu, and Kyle Kuzma had 14 points in the victory.
"You can't let little things like the flu keep you from doing your job," said McGee, who admitted he had gotten IVs before the game. "I just wanted to make sure I gave it my all."
Malik Monk led the Hornets with 19 points off the bench and rookie Miles Bridges chipped in a career-high 17.
Kemba Walker, who scored 60 points earlier this season, had an off-night, shooting 2-for-13 from the field for just four points.
"He's had a couple of nights where he has struggled shooting the ball but he'll continue to shoot. We trust him," Borrego said. "His confidence is still there. I think he'll kick it back into gear real soon. He's having to work a lot out there. The way teams are guarding him and the way he's having to defend. For whatever reason he just hasn't seen the ball go through the net right now. "
TIP-INS
The capacity crowd of 19,461 fans was the largest to ever see an NBA game at the Spectrum Center, a fact easily attributed to LeBron James and the Lakers.
UP NEXT
The Lakers won't have time to catch their breath as they fly to the Nation's capital to face the Washington Wizards on Sunday night at 3:00PM PST.
HIGHLIGHTS
All quotes courtesy of Spectrum Sports Net.
