Franz Magic in L.A.; Hornets Motor Past Pistons, Ball and Miller Combine for 73

Magic-Lakers. Magic in the Crypt

“It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Last night, the Lakers learned the hard way. LA missed nine free throws, typically tolerable, except SIX came in the final 3:40 of the game, squandering a masterful 31-10-7 from LeBron and a dominant 39-9, including three blocks from Anthony Davis. Franz Wagner gave the Lakers the business all night, dropping 37-6-11, including a whopping four steals. LA was up by two with 20 seconds left when AD was fouled but missed both free throws, leading to a gut-wrenching game-winning three by Franz. AD’s fadeaway jumper was nowhere close as time expired. Despite the Magic’s franchise player and All-Star Paolo Banchero sidelined with a torn oblique, the team is gritty and will continue to ruin many teams’ nights.

Pistons-Hornets. Brandon Miller Career Night

Are brighter days finally ahead in Charlotte? Have they found their two franchise cornerstones? While it is just a regular season game against Detroit on a Thursday night, these are questions that seem to have been crystallized last night. Brandon Miller had a career night on the eve of his 22nd birthday, finishing with 38 points and eight big-time threes. LaMelo Ball tallied 35 points and nine assists before fouling out one second into OT as Charlotte looked to take care of business and embark on a winning streak after squandering a 20-point lead in the third quarter.

Young Detroit phenom Cade Cunningham carried the team with 27 points and ten assists before leaving the game with a hip injury with 48 seconds remaining in regulation after a hard foul by Grant Williams. Cunningham made two free throws before leaving the game with what later was diagnosed as a “left sacroiliac joint sprain.”

How are you feeling about JJ Redick’s tenure thus far? Can the Lakers fix their late-game free-throw woes? Have the Hornets found the answer to their poverty curse? Comment your thoughts below!