The Hornets looked like the team of yesteryear in the first half, trailing by as many as 18 points, but reignited their homestand in the 3rd Quarter with a mountainous 42-18 beat-down of the Spurs, going on to win a close 4th Quarter, 22-24.
#3 overall pick, Evan Mobley, 7'0", shined brightly for the Charlotte Hornets tonight with 21 points. Jonas Valanciunas had 24 points & 9 rebounds. Tim Hardaway, Jr, dropped 2 points, P.J. Washington had 11 points & Colin Sexton had 10 points with 12 assists. Danilo Gallinari had 19 points & 11 rebounds.
Dejounte Murray (24 points) had the makings of a strong game, but couldn't quite put it all together despite getting the Spurs within a basket late before Charlotte pulled away in the final two minutes. Brandon Ingram combined with Murray well on the fast break for 27 points, 6 rebounds & 5 assists with 2 blocks, and Kent Bazemore was hot for 16 points, but Andre Drummond struggled against Charlotte's front-court for just 16 rebounds, 10 points. The Spurs had 15 turnovers as a unit, uncharacteristically so. Its best shooters, VanVleet & Harris, also went cold from the perimeter, nailing the road defeat coffin shut.
