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Editor’s note: As we wait for real NBA basketball to return, we’re going to simulate the rest of the games that the Los Angeles Lakers have on their schedule on NBA 2K20.
The Los Angeles Lakers started their six-game road trip off on the right foot on Saturday by coming back in the fourth quarter to beat the Charlotte Hornets 105-100.
The Hornets were in complete control for most of the game. In, fact, they won every quarter by five or more points except for one: The fourth quarter.
Prior to the fourth quarter, Anthony Davis had been held just to 6 points on 2-8 shooting from the field because of the shots he was taking. Of his eight field goal attempts, four of them were hook shots. Why? Your guess is as good as mine.
When the fourth quarter finally came and the Lakers were within single digits (7 points), Davis became a one-man wrecking crew and scored 20 points in the final frame. Only two other players took a shot in the fourth quarter: Rajon Rondo (a made 3-pointer) and LeBron James (a missed fadeaway jumper). Davis was feeling it, and his teammates let him go.
As a direct result of Davis’ stellar fourth quarter, James rallied seven of his game-high 11 assists in the fourth quarter. James is still the league-leader in assists per game (10.4).
It wasn’t just the James and Davis show, though. Rondo also did a tremendous job of running the second unit and nearly recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. And because anything is possible in the virtual world, he also did a better job than anyone of slowing down Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier, who combined for 58 points.
It wasn’t a pretty win, but it doesn’t make a difference in the win column. The Lakers will be back at it on Sunday to take on the Detroit Pistons.
For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. You can follow this author on Twitter at @RadRivas.