Nov 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) defends Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Lakers won 107-92
Nov 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) defends Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Lakers won 107-92 REUTERS

The Los Angeles Lakers finally got their first win rallying in the second half of their home game against the Charlotte Hornets. Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin paced the squad with 21 points apiece as confetti flew from the rafters of the Staples Center signaling the end of the 0-5 drought that the team endured for the opening two weeks of the season.

The atmosphere in the locker room was not buoyant as the crowd after the game as the team knew that the work has just began. Newly installed Byron Scott has said that the team can heave a sigh of relief from the taste of the win and can now say it can achieve victory as a group but they still have some great strides to complete before to return in the Western Conference prominence.

Scott pointed out that the success was due to the changed mentality of the team. In the win, the team did not look initially for Kobe Bryant to do all the offensive heavy lifting and stand around in corners. The team looked into the post early in Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin continued his assertive mode at home games.

"Guys weren't just looking to get the ball to Kobe and step out of the way," Scott said per ESPN. "I talked to Jeremy before the game about being more assertive on both ends of the floor."

Lin converted 21 points on just 12 shots and added 7 assists mostly entry post passes to Carlos Boozer who also contributed 16 in the win that left the Philadelphia 76ers (0-7) as the only team to sniff a win. Bryant still led the team in shots attempted but his relentless attacks rubbed off on his teammates who were able to limit the opponents to just 92 points, a team best this season which has lagging behind in the defence department. The team is 30th in points allowed before the game.

Steve Clifford, the Hornet coach, lamented that his team stopped playing defence in the second half that took pout all the rhythm that they built in the first half. The loss dropped the squad to 3-4 and halted a two-game streak. The Hornets will continue on its road trip Wednesday against the Portland Trailblazers while the Lakers will face Western Conference top team Memphis Grizzlies, Tuesday.