Hornets at Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers picked up their first victory of the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era on Friday and expect plenty more as the season continues. James, Davis and company will try to make it two in a row when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Los Angeles fell to the rival Clippers in the season opener but turned up the defense and experimented with Davis at center in a 95-86 victory over Utah on Friday. "We were faster, I think," Lakers veteran shooting guard Danny Green told reporters. "We were rotating, we were moving. (Davis) defensively was a monster. We did better with the pick-and-roll coverages, and talking, communicating and switching. Weakside was there rotating, and we got some steals and got out running and got some easy baskets for us on the offensive end." The Hornets are trying to get out and run as well but could not come up with enough stops on the other end in Friday's 121-99 setback against Minnesota. "Our main thing is to play with pace, and we weren't getting stops," Charlotte guard Devonte' Graham told reporters. "You have to keep taking the ball out of the net and it takes away from us getting out in transition, which is actually one of our best attributes as a team. Being so young, we run. It's hard to do that when you don't get stops."
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), Spectrum SportsNet (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (1-1): Charlotte allowed 103 points through the first three quarters on Friday, overshadowing another solid game from rookie forward PJ Washington. The 21-year-old Kentucky product broke out with 27 points and seven 3-pointers in the 126-125 victory over Chicago to open the season and followed up with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) against Minnesota on Friday. Graham is off to a hot start as well while averaging 23.5 points on 62.5 percent shooting off the bench, including 12-of-16 from beyond the arc.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (1-1): Los Angeles has Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee around to play center, allowing Davis to slide to power forward, but using Davis in the middle occasionally gives the team a different look. "He just locked in and had a really good night in both halves, but particularly in the second half," Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters of Davis. "When he's able to post and bring (Jazz center) Rudy (Gobert) away from the basket, things really open up. Then they have to bring help from the low side and the 3-point shooters open up. You saw Troy Daniels get going. Spaces out everybody, and he had a terrific night." James added 32 points and 10 assists in the win while once again starting at point guard.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Lakers PG Rajon Rondo (calf) and PF Kyle Kuzma (ankle) are both day-to-day and have yet to make their season debuts.
2. Hornets C Cody Zeller (personal) sat out Friday and is day-to-day.
3. Los Angeles took the two meetings last season by an average of 21 points.