Second victory in a row for the Hornets, who find color with this success obtained once morest a big team from the Eastern Conference and who ended up cracking following halftime, once morest the collective of the Hornets.
Back on the land of his first exploits, Kemba Walker was quick to stand out, initiating the first “run” of the Knicks with a 3-point shot. Untenable, the All-Star leader finished the first twelve minutes with 17 points on the clock, helping to offer a 16-point lead to the New York franchise (34-18).
With the relay of Alec Burks then the awakening of Julius Randle, the men of Tom Thibodeau then managed to contain the trio LaMelo Ball – Terry Rozier – Gordon Hayward at halftime (55-46).
Until Charlotte wakes up, back from the locker room. Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier first showed the way, and the Hornets outclassed their opponent of the evening with a 10-0, concluded the pair Terry Rozier – Miles Bridges (68-60).
It was then New York’s turn to let the storm pass and get back in the game, mainly through 3-pointers from Immanuel Quickley, who restarted the game definitively ten minutes from the end (83-82 ). In the final sprint, it was Kelly Oubre Jr. and Miles Bridges who upped the ante.
The first by slamming three 3-pointers. The second by aligning a windmill in counter-attack, in response to that of Obi Toppin, then a move magnificent right hand in front of Julius Randle and a “2+1” left hand, still in front of Randle (101-95).
After a final counter by Miles Bridges on Kemba Walker, and a 17e rebound from LaMelo Ball, Charlotte was finally able to savor her victory (104-96).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The stunning return of the Hornets. A 22-5 in less than five minutes which completely changed the game, when the case seemed to be off to a bad start for Charlotte in the first half. But James Borrego’s men had the merit of not giving up and they were able to count on a choice offensive arsenal to come back and make the difference between Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Miles Bridges. All orchestrated by a LaMelo Ball in the oven and at the mill.
– Des Knicks sans leader. None of New York’s three offensive leaders were able to take the game on their own. RJ Barrett made 2 points at 1/9 on shots, Evan Fournier barely did better with 5 points and 6 rebounds, while Julius Randle (10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) was also on the street. Far too many to hope to bring back a victory from this stay in North Carolina.
LES TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Hornets collective. Everyone had their moment and that’s not only the beauty of this team, but what makes it so difficult to defend. Terry Rozier started the return of his people, Gordon Hayward then carried the team at arm’s length, until the final fireworks, initiated by gunner Kelly Oubre Jr. and followed by outfielder Miles Bridges. LaMelo Ball, for his part, had a night without shooting (12 points, 4/13 on shots and 0/5 from 3-pointers), but he was still essential in Charlotte’s victory, with his 17 rebounds , 9 assists and 5 steals.
⛔ Julius Randle. The All-Star inside remains the Knicks’ leader and he didn’t hold his own tonight. His discretion at the start of the game was not a problem, as long as his team comfortably led the score. His end to the first half even augured a better result. Except that his “money-time” clearly pushed him, since he was simply catastrophic, being ridiculed twice by Miles Bridges in defense, then missing three free throws in the last minute.
✅ ⛔ Kemba Walker. 17 points in the first quarter, 3 in the second, 6 in the third and therefore zero in the last. The evening had something to be beautiful for Kemba Walker, for his return to Charlotte. Nothing happened, and despite his 26 points at the finish, the New York leader brought practically nothing at the end of the match.
THE FOLLOWING
Charlotte (7-7) : beaten at the Warriors last week, the Hornets find Stephen Curry’s band, at home this time, on the night of Sunday to Monday (01:00).
New York (7-6) : the Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden on the night of Monday to Tuesday (1:30 a.m.), to welcome the Pacers there.
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