CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Those useful navigation apps most likely bought utilized closely by the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday contemplating the size of time they spent away from residence.
A prolonged journey had them on the street for practically two weeks, so nobody might blame the Hornets in the event that they wanted somewhat digital help to recall their respective routes to the Spectrum Center. This was additionally the sort of recreation that causes considerations given the fast turnaround following a winding tour largely dotting the Pacific Time zone.
“We only got one day back,” coach Steve Clifford mentioned. “I thought our energy level surprised me this morning. It was good. Usually you get two days off and they have time to kind of get back to East Coast time, and we didn’t get that. So, these games can be funky for sure but every team plays them.”
There’s little doubt the Hornets loved the gritty 121-113 win over Oklahoma City. Trotting out their true projected beginning lineup in a house recreation for the first time all season, the Hornets tightened issues up in the second half and rode a balanced offensive assault to snap a five-game dropping streak in their residence area.
Here are some key takeaways from the Hornets’ victory:
Still on the Mark
Although Nick Richards made a speedy return from a sprained proper ankle following a two-game absence, his presence didn’t push Mark Williams fully out of the rotation.
Williams nonetheless served as the major backup to Mason Plumlee, and he turned in a profession efficiency, posting 19 factors, 13 rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes. And that may very well be the state of affairs for the rookie for the subsequent couple of video games offered he stays on the similar trajectory he’s displayed throughout his first spherical of significant minutes.
“I’m going to play Mark for a bit here, though,” Clifford mentioned. “I like the way he played. Nick’s going to be a big part of things going forward. We’ll see how he feels. He won’t be 100 percent. Mark’s the only guy that we have — everybody else has gotten a good, fair chance to play … and Mark has not.” LaMelo is streaking
Remember when folks had been questioning LaMelo Ball’s jumper and whether or not he might persistently knock down photographs from deep? Looks like he’s answered them.
By draining 5-of-10 makes an attempt towards Oklahoma City, Ball prolonged his streak of video games with a number of made 3-pointers to 11, which is the longest of his profession. He got here in taking pictures 36.6% past the arc and is as assured as ever from that vary, letting the makes an attempt stream effortlessly and with out hesitation.
Ball’s 27-point effort additionally marked the tenth consecutive recreation he’s netted not less than 20. That hasn’t occurred since Kemba Walker achieved the feat in 11 consecutive outings in 2016.
He got here near recording his first triple-double of the season, amassing 10 rebounds and 9 assists.
Half day for Kelly After sitting out Tuesday evening’s loss to Golden State in San Francisco and initially being listed as uncertain towards the Thunder, Kelly Oubre was again.
For all of a half.
Oubre scored six factors, draining simply 2-of-9 photographs in 14 minutes earlier than experiencing extra soreness in his sprained left hand and wasn’t out there in the second half for Clifford to make use of in his typical sixth-man function.
JT Thor picked up a few of the further minutes in the second half and struggled mightily. The second-year ahead misfired badly on all three shot makes an attempt and was a legal responsibility at occasions, unable to contribute something of significance.
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