The Charlotte Hornets finished off a 3-game road trip on Monday in Washington, and managed to come out with a win. A 2-1 road trip is a pretty good trip, considering the absence of Kemba Walker, Bismack Biyombo, and Marvin Williams for 2 of the 3 games.
The Hornets played their usual brand of precise defense, holding Washington 12 points under their season average, while stepping it up on the offensive end. Shooting 46.8% from the field, the Hornets had an efficient night shooting the ball. Al Jefferson’s game resembled his pre-injury form, as he finished with 18 points, and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes of work, and Brian Roberts got back into his groove after going scoreless in Denver, finishing with 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting.
Gerald Henderson had a well-rounded game, finishing with 17 points, and 5 assists. Marvin Williams returned to action after missing the previous 2 games with a concussion, he went scoreless on 0 of 4 shooting, but pulled down 7 boards, and added 2 blocks in 17 minutes.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist finished the game with 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in 36 minutes of play. He scored those 13 on 4-6 shooting, so, again, thank you Mark Price for helping Mike with is shot. Also, thank you MKG for putting in the work. MKG is starting to become a double-double machine. This is more of what we were hoping that Mike could be for this team.
The Hornets held the lead for most of the game, and survived several runs by Washington, including one that bridged the end of the 3rd quarter, and the beginning of the 4th. Lance Stephenson turned the ball over twice on consecutive possessions, each leading to points in Washington’s favor. Washington was able to cut the Hornets’ 13 point lead down to 4 late in the game, and even cut it to a 2 point game on a Paul Pierce 3 in the dwindling seconds of the game, but the Hornets held on late thanks to crucial trips to the free throw line from Henderson, and Roberts. The Hornets’ starting back court outscored Washington’s 35-34, a surprise, considering the seasons Wall and Beal are having, and the absence of Kemba Walker.
The Hornets play the Wizards again on Thursday February 5th, at 7 PM EST at home. Look for a very similar game from both teams, plenty of posting-feeding, and kick-outs to guards. Any time the Hornets are playing, you can expect a defensive slug-fest: expect no different come Thursday. We’re 6 games away from being a .500 team. Let’s keep climbing that playoff ladder. The Bucks need to be our next target. We need to get the Heat well into our rear-view mirror, but the Bucks are the next team we need to focus on running down. They’re the first team in the east for us to catch with a record north of .500.
Let’s Go Hornets!
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