Three Keys To Hornets 110-102 Win Over Kings
The Hornets got a big win on Tuesday night in the Queen City, beating the Sacramento Kings by a score of 110-102.
Teams can’t just come into town and get an easy win over the Hornets anymore. Charlotte is figuring out how to win the games they usually found a way to lose in seasons past. The Hornets continue to build upon their improbable season, winning four of their last five. Who would have thought this team would have 13 victories only 30 games in? Not this guy. Here are three keys to the victory over Sacramento.
1) Rebounding
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 23: Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on October 23, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
The Hornets have struggled on the boards for much of the season but over the past 5 games, they have been considerably better. They had the overwhelming advantage tonight, outrebounding the Kings 51-33. Biyombo led the way with 12 rebounds, Monk added a whopping 10 and Zeller also added 9. Anytime your two-guard finishes with 10 rebounds and 23 points (14 in the 4th quarter) off of the bench, you’ve got a good chance to win. If the Hornets can keep hitting the boards, they will have a chance to win most games.
2) Three-Point Shooting
RT for prosperity, clear skin and an eternally good mood...
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 18, 2019
Tonight's @Sprite Player of the Game is @AhmadMonk!#AllFly pic.twitter.com/JlxBtRYLfy
No one set the world on fire tonight from beyond the arc but the team shot well, as a whole, from beyond the arc finishing at 43%. Monk, Williams, and Rozier all chipped in and even Graham hit a few big three’s late after starting off cold. It wasn’t the usual output Hornets fans are used to from Devonte, finishing with 16 points and 7 assists on 4 of 15 shooting. But he made big shot after big shot in the fourth. Monk helped close out this game as well with some big shots late and a putback off of a Terry Rozier miss in the final minute. He had his best game of the season and all while coming off of the bench.
3) Bench Play
When the starters didn’t seem to have it, the bench seemed to step up (53 bench points). Malik Monk, Marvin Williams, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Martin all played valuable minutes tonight. Monk was the best player off of the bench and possibly the game but Marvin Williams’s return tonight was huge for Charlotte. Williams finished with 16 points on 5 of 8 shooting and helped provide the spark that the Hornets needed to keep this game close and eventually pull away.
TEAMWORK 2 STRONGGGG 😩#HiveStats x @keithchiroclt pic.twitter.com/B4dAvE1GGp
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 18, 2019
Probably one of the more balanced wins of the season by Charlotte. Next up is a matchup against the Cavs tomorrow at 7 pm in Cleveland.
Other Notes:
De’Aaron Fox made his return tonight for the Kings and finished with 19 points and 8 assists. Marvin Bagley III flashed his potential at times finishing with 14 points and 7 rebounds in 22 minutes, showing why he was taken 2nd overall in the 2018 NBA draft. In a draft that included Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., and DeAndre Ayton, Bagley III has a lot to live up to.
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