The Charlotte Hornets entered tonight’s game as one of four undefeated teams in the NBA’s preseason slate. The Hornets would later seal the victory after New York’s DaJuan Summers missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer with four seconds remaining, which preserved Charlotte’s flawless preseason record. New York rested Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon, Robin Lopez and Kyle O’Quinn…
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Playing just the first half, Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker finished with 12 and 10 points, respectively…. Batum, acquired via trade this offseason, rolled out a few post moves tonight, an element of his game we hadn’t witnessed this season. – Zeller on the Hornets’ improved ball movement. Walker also laid a bucket in just before the buzzer rang to give the Hornets a 50-48 lead.
New York got off to a sluggish start as they were shooting it at 33 percent while their opponent was at 44 percent. Celtics reserve forward Jonas Jerebko was assessed a third-quarter technical, but it was erased during video review of the play.
In their second game against Lob City, six Hornets players scored in double-digits.
Trailing to begin the fourth quarter, it was rookie Frank Kaminsky to the rescue.
Lin, who joined the Hornets after exiting the LA Lakers over the summer, is bringing with him his energy and shooting abilities that are now being viewed as assets the Hornets can make good use of. Once they took the lead here, they never looked back.
The Hornets closed out the Knicks thanks to extra opportunities and scoring depth. “His penetration, his shooting capability, his point guard savvy – he can really pass the basketball – his energy about the game of basketball [is] something”. Zeller entered tonight’s game a flawless 14-of-14 from the floor this preseason. Tyler Hansbrough also came off the bench to finish with seven points and a team-high-tying eight rebounds…
Boston though responded with a 10-0 run, powered by Isaiah Thomas, who was personally responsible for 7/10 points, setting up Avery Bradley for a three-pointer, then knocking one down himself and then getting into the paint for a floater. For Charlotte, former Knicks Jeremy Lin did not suit up due to illness. Hairston (calf) were all out for tonight’s game.
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The Charlotte Hornets next game will be on October 19th against the Chicago Bulls in Charlotte, NC at Time Warner Cable Arena at 7:00 p.m.
