Charlotte, North Carolina — — lebron james It’s been taking big leaps to break out lately Kareem Abdul Jabbarcareer scoring mark.
James scored 43 points, coming within the NBA record of 500. los angeles lakers Revenge for last month’s home loss Charlotte Hornets They won 121-115 on Monday night.
James landed two dunks on an alley-oop. Denise Schroeder, boosting his career total to 37,903 points. This put him 484 behind Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 38,387.
Thomas Bryant 18 points, 15 rebounds, Austin Reeves The Schroeders scored 15 points each as the Lakers (16-21) finished the trip 3-2.
“I had this mindset of wanting to end this trip the right way,” said James.
Terry Rozier He had 27 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 13 of their last 16 games. lamelo ball add 24 points, Mason Plumlee Charlotte had 18 points and 14 rebounds.
The Hornets (10-28) beat the Lakers 134-130 on December 23rd.
James, who is battling ankle pain, came into his game in this game, adding 11 rebounds and 6 assists to improve to 47-7 against owner Michael Jordan’s Hornets.
James picked up where he left off in December, averaging 31.2 points over 14 games. Atlanta Hawks.
He was 16-of-26 from the field on Monday and scored 23 points in the second half.
Lakers coach Durbin Hamm called it “another great night” for James.
“I think he takes his time and really sees what the defense is going to do to him,” Hamm said. was exactly that, if he was going to attack them downhill, make a 3 ball, get out, run in transition.His attacks had many different methods, but again, They had some possessions they were trying to blitz him with. He finds open players and makes plays for other players so the defense plays behind us I am forced to.”
The Lakers started the second quarter with a 14-0 run and built a 15-point lead at halftime. James scored with drives, dunks and midrange jumpers, and from 3-pointer he went 0-for-5 and helped the Lakers push the lead to he-24.
James wouldn’t say if the dunk was one of the best of his career, but it certainly drew a Spectrum Center crowd full of Lakers fans.
“It’s always good to go on a break,” said James. “The pass was always the highlight of the day and I was able to bring it back in fashion.”
The Hornets had a big second half spark from Rosier, who scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, closing the margin to 117-113 in the final minute. But then James hit four free throws to seal the win.
Rozier said the Hornets need to start earlier.
“We’re playing against the best players in the world, but we can’t turn it on whenever we want,” he said. “We have a lot of talent, but we are undisciplined. Sharp from the start, impatient.
Hayward injured again
Gordon HaywardAfter struggling all season and missing games with a shoulder injury, he was sidelined in the second half with a left hamstring injury.
tip in
Lakers: Rebound Hornets 53-47.
Wasp: Dennis Smith Jr.He returned from an ankle injury that had kept him out since November 23rd. At one point he tried to dunk James but the ball slipped out of his hands. James was still called for a foul. … Ball received a technical foul for arguing the call while sitting on the bench.
next
Lakers: Heading home to host Miami on Wednesday night.
The Hornets: Complete a 4-game homestand against Memphis on Wednesday night.
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