NEW YORK (AFP) – Anthony Davis delivered his third career triple double on Monday to support big nights from LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell as the Los Angeles Lakers won 124-118 at Charlotte.
Russell scored 28 points, James added 26 and Davis dominated with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists as the Lakers finished an NBA road trip 4-2 with the other wins at Boston, New York and Golden State.
“We’ve been doing a good job at playing complete team basketball,” Davis said. “It was a great road trip for us even though we dropped some we thought we should have won.
“We’ll try and take this energy and carry it over from the road trip back home.”
The Lakers play host to reigning NBA champion Denver tomorrow.
Struggling since they won the NBA In-Season Tournament in December, the Lakers have built confidence on the road trip, coach Darvin Ham said.
“Just that trust in ourselves. If adversity presents itself, we can fight through it,” he said.
“We won’t pack up our tent and go home. We’re in it for the fight.”
They got a fight from the Hornets, who were led by 41 points from Miles Bridges and 33 by Brandon Miller.
“Bridges played out of his mind shooting the ball. Miller did as well,” Davis said. “Our defensive intensity slipped in that fourth quarter. We lost control of the game.
“We’ve got to do a better job of closing out games but nonetheless we’re happy we got the win. It was ugly but we’re happy we got it.”
The Lakers improved to 27-25 with their third win in a row while imposing Charlotte’s eighth loss in a row.
Davis matched his career high for assists and had a triple double by the end of three quarters. Davis blocked three shots, the last on a late Bridges three-point try to seal victory.
The Lakers, ninth in the Western Conference, have turned to Japan’s Rui Hachimura with forward Jarred Vanderbilt out up to four weeks with a right foot sprain.
“We’re starting to find a way to play without some of the guys,” Davis said. “Guys are stepping up in their absence.”
In New York, Stephen Curry scored 29 points and Jonathan Kuminga added 28 with 10 rebounds to lead the Golden State Warriors over host Brooklyn 109-98.
