Hornets Hold the Wizards to 6 Points in the 4th, Win 101-87

I know what I said in the last game recap. Being basically a 1-man-show, I sometimes combine 2 games into one recap. After sitting through the game tonight, I just had to park myself in front of the computer and talk a little about this game.   Again, turnovers (19) and a rough 3^rd quarter endangered the Hornets current win streak. Poor defense didn’t help either.   Fortunately, the Hornets have figured out how to suck it up, get tough, and play at 1000% in the 4^th quarter.

After 3 quarters, the Hornets were down 74 – 81. Whatever the newly extended Coach Clifford said to the guys in the 4^th quarter was worth the additional 3 years that we will be seeing of Clifford on the sidelines. The Hornets put forth one of the most impressive 4^th quarter performances I have ever seen as a Hornets-Bobcats-Hornets fan. The team topped its 38-21 4^th quarter against the Kings on Monday, by performing a 27-6 4^th quarter tonight. I just sat in front of the TV, speechless. I’ve told my wife how amazing it was, I’ve told my sons, and now I’m telling you guys, the Hornets faithful! Seeing the Wizards go 0 for 17 from the floor…the Hornets on a 25-0 run…

Must…calm…down…

Jeremy Lamb led the Hornets in scoring with 18 points. He added 7 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block, all from coming off of the bench.   The starters did their thing as well:

Kemba Walker – 16 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks

Nic Batum – 16 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals

Al Jefferson – 14 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, and a block

Marvin Williams – 14 points, 11 rebounds, a steal, and a block

PJ Hairston – 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists

There was also more to the bench than just Lamb’s 18. Cody Zeller had a great game with 11 points and 8 rebounds. His hustle stats, as always, do not show up in the box score, but his hustle to snag loose balls and pressuring on defense is something that this team cannot do without. Rookie, Frank Kaminsky had 2 points and 2 rebounds. Jeremy Lin added 5 points and 2 steals. Basically, every player who played in this game made some sort of contribution. Balanced scoring and unselfish, TEAM BASKETBALL wins games for us. We made 39 shots tonight, and 22 of those shots came from assists. We also out-rebounded the Wizards 51-41. Shooting 47% from the floor, 100% from the foul line, and 30.8% from the 3-point line helped a ton as well. Holding the Wizards to 35.6% field goal shooting was a key as well.

The overall home win streak at home grows to 7 (4 in a row during this current home stand), as the next targeted team to be stung at The Hive are the Cavaliers on Black Friday.   We need to keep this momentum rolling and be sure that the rest of the NBA lives in fear of visiting THE HIVE!

Everyone, have a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy time with your families. We’ll regroup on Friday and cheer our Hornets into a swarm so strong that LeBron just wants to go back to Cleveland.

Let’s Go Hornets!