Hornets dispatch Lakers on Kobe Bryant’s final game in Charlotte

Kobe Bryant’s farewell game in Charlotte turned into a tour de force for Kemba Walker on Monday in an 108-98 victory for the hometown Hornets against Los Angeles Lakers before a record crowd at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Walker, the Hornets’ point guard, helped break open a close game in the fourth quarter, scoring 38 points for the Hornets (17-13), who won for the second straight game.

Bryant, who is retiring after 20 seasons and is the league’s third all-time leading scorer, scored 20 points for the Lakers (5-27) on 5-of-20 shooting, including 3-of-12 from 3-point range.

The game was tied at 58 at halftime. The Hornets pulled away midway through the fourth quarter behind Walker and Nick Batum (15 points, 11 assists). Center Cody Zeller added 16 points and six rebounds.

The Hornets clamped down defensively in the second half, limiting the Lakers to 29.2 percent shooting.

Three who mattered

Kemba Walker: Made 14-of-25 shots (3 of 6 from 3-point range) and added six rebounds and four assists. It was Walker’s fifth 30-plus point game of the season.

Kobe Bryant: Struggled with his shot for most of the game and appeared tired on the second leg of a back-to-back. Still, he scored 20 points and pulled down four rebounds.

P.J. Hairston: Was assigned to guard Bryant for much of the game, but also came through with 13 points.

Observations

▪ The crowd came alive every time Bryant touched the ball. But he also got quite a bit of negative fan reaction when he fouled former Lakers teammate Jeremy Lin hard as Lin drove across the lane late in the first half.

▪ Although the Hornets beat Memphis last Saturday, coach Steve Clifford was unhappy that his team settled for too many jump shots. The Hornets got the message in the first half against the Lakers, scoring 28 of their 58 points in the paint. The Hornets finished with 54 points inside.

▪ Center Al Jefferson is gradually being worked back into the Hornets lineup after missing 11 games due to injury and suspension. He played 15 minutes, scored just three points and had four rebounds.

▪ The score was tied at 58 at halftime and both teams shot well (Hornets 53.3 percent, Lakers 56.8 percent).

▪ The attendance of 19,632 was the largest Hornets crowd in Time Warner Cable Arena history.

Worth mentioning

▪ Monday’s game continued an attractive portion of the Hornets’ home schedule. It continues Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers (welcome back, Lance Stephenson; welcome home, Chris Paul) and, after a trip to Toronto on Friday, the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

▪ Hornets backup center Spencer Hawes missed the game with a stiff lower back. Metta World Peace sat out for the Lakers.

▪ The Hornets’ NBA Development League team in Greensboro will announce its nickname at a news conference Tuesday evening.

They said it

“(Walker) was great. Usually he comes out at the end of the third quarter for a quick break, but we were up four and he said ‘I’m good.’ ” -- Hornets coach Steve Clifford.

“It was great to play against Kobe one last time in this arena, but it was great to beat him. -- Walker

“It’s an amazing feeling and you try your best not to disappoint. You try to give them something that’s worth remembering.” – Bryant, on the warm reception he receives from fans on the road.

Report card

B+ OFFENSE: The Hornets got the balance Clifford craves, scoring 54 points in the paint and shooting 48.3 percent overall.

B- DEFENSE: It took a while for the defense to get going (the Lakers shot 56.8 percent in the first half), but the Hornets made it tough on the visitors down the stretch.

A- COACHING: Clifford stressed getting the ball inside after beating Memphis on Saturday, and it sank in.

This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 9:25 PM with the headline "Hornets dispatch Lakers on Kobe Bryant’s final game in Charlotte."