Continuing the new format from last month, I will be pinning the post-game thread for this December’s Hornets games. The correct schedule is Most of the scheduled games are now posted in the attached image from prosportsbackgrounds.com
Continuing the new format from last month, I will be pinning the post-game thread for this December’s Hornets games. The correct schedule is Most of the scheduled games are now posted in the attached image from prosportsbackgrounds.com
2023-12-18
Toronto Turns Tables At Start Of 4th Quarter To Beat Hornets
All Five Charlotte Starters Score 10+ PTS, Late Rebounding Problems Prove Quite Costly
Playing with a severely depleted rotation once again, the Charlotte Hornets held tough until the action trickled into the fourth quarter of their eventual 114-99 loss in Toronto on Monday night.
Each of the five players in Charlotte’s 10th different starting lineup of the season scored in double figures – Terry Rozier (22), PJ Washington (15), Bryce McGowens (14), Brandon Miller (14) and Nick Richards (10). Richards also snagged 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and first since back on Nov. 14.
While Washington (shoulder) returned from a two-game absence, Charlotte was still without LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams and now Miles Bridges along with three others. The Hornets got off to an energetic start anyways, forcing 11 first-half Raptors turnovers to help build a 52-48 lead by the mid-way point. Toronto finally clawed back in front with about three minutes to go in the third, but the Hornets managed to regain a two-point cushion heading into the fourth. A 16-6 Toronto run to open the closing frame began separating the two sides, as the Hornets briefly only got as close as four over the game’s final seven minutes.
Charlotte’s offense went ice cold in the fourth (35%, 0-of-8 from 3-point range), but the most problematic area was easily the rebounding. Despite starting center Jakob Poeltl sitting out the final 12 minutes, Toronto was +14 on the glass (20-6) and had 14 second-chance points (only six in the first three quarters) to go along with 22 points in the paint.
“I thought our guys competed great,” said Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford. “Toronto’s defense in the fourth quarter was really good to me. We struggled to get good shots. They got some fast break points, which hurt us, but the second-chance points in the fourth quarter were the biggest difference. The effort’s good – we just have to learn from it. We have things we need to work on, and we’ll see it when we watch the film.”
The Hornets finished minus-15 in the rebounding battle (51-36) overall, though did score 23 points off 19 Raptors turnovers. Washington also drained three 3-pointers to push his career total to 500, making him the seventh player in franchise history to reach this milestone.
Pascal Siakam (27), Scottie Barnes (22) and Gary Trent Jr. (season-high 22) all had 20-point showings for Toronto, which won its six consecutive home game against Charlotte (the first two of were played in Tampa during the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic). Barnes, who triple-doubled in Charlotte back on Dec. 8, also notched a career-high-tying 17 rebounds and seven assists, while Trent wrangled a career-high 10 rebounds for his first-ever NBA double-double.
The Hornets will close out their short two-game road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Dec. 20 beginning at 7 PM ET. Catch all the action on Bally Sports Southeast and WFNZ 92.7 FM.