Kuzma nets 24, lifts Lakers past short-handed Hornets 101-93

Kuzma nets 24, lifts Lakers past short-handed Hornets 101-93

NBA

Kuzma nets 24, lifts Lakers past short-handed Hornets 101-93

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Frank Vogel isn’t complaining about the Los Angeles Lakers finishing a seven-game road trip with a 4-3 record.

“I think all of our guys are really fatigued right now,” the Lakers’ second-year head coach said. “We are stretched really thin with all of the injuries and the compact schedule. To come out of it 4-3 on this stretch, we feel good about that.”

Kyle Kuzma scored 24 points, and the Lakers held on for a hard-fought 101-93 win against a Charlotte Hornets team missing five of its top six scorers on Tuesday night.

Dennis Schroder added 19 points and Andre Drummond chipped in with 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who’ll return home to face the Boston Celtics on Thursday with fans allowed in the Staples Center.

“It could be a big impact having that energy,” Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said. “That energy can fill you up.”

Devonte Graham led the Hornets with 19 points. Caleb Martin had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Boston visits Los Angeles aiming to continue its four-game road winning streak.

The Lakers have gone 16-11 in home games. Los Angeles ranks ninth in the NBA with 13.6 fast break points per game led by LeBron James averaging 4.6.

The Celtics have gone 12-16 away from home. Boston is ninth in the league in 3-point percentage, shooting 37.5% as a team from downtown this season. Payton Pritchard paces them shooting 40% from 3-point range.