Miles Bridges led the Hornets, who once again were devoid five of their top six scorers, with a career high 33 points. It was not enough. The Hornets dropped their fourth straight game losing to the Brooklyn Nets 130-115 Friday night.
Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant and Joe Harris led the way with 25 and 26 points respectively. Landry Shamet added 20 points and Kyrie Irving contributed 12.
The Hornets started off the first quarter strong and were ready to go. With all of their injury issues, Vernon Cary Jr. was able to make his first career start (21 points). He was heavily involved early on and helped the team storm out to an early lead. At the end of the quarter, Charlotte was leading 35-29.
The Hornets came out stagnant to start the second quarter allowing Brooklyn to score the first 6 points. Bridges, Cary Jr. and Terry Rozier, (he finished with a double-double, 27 point and 10 assists), kept the game close throughout the second quarter, and the game was tied 61-61 at recess.
The Hornets kept the game within reach most of the third quarter. It was difficult even with Bridges doing everything he could to will his team to victory. Besides setting a career high 33 points, he tied a career high in long balls (6). He was able to show what he can do when he is efficient and aggressive. When you have talent like future Hall of Famer Blake Griffin and sharp shooter Landry Shament coming off the bench for the Nets, it’s hard to keep the momentum going throughout the entire game. This proved to be true going into the fourth quarter.
A four point play by the Nets’ Joe Harris put them up 98-91 early in the fourth. After another 3 pointer and 3 free throws, Harris began to put the game out of reach making the score 104-93. Griffin put the nails in the coffin with a thunderous dunk and a 3-point field goal. That put the Nets up 16 points and the Hornets were never in the game after that.
The Hornets play the Trail Blazers on Sunday, who have lost 7 of their last 10 games. Even so, with five of their six leading scorers out, Charlotte will have a hard time winning games, but they will be able to see what they have for the future.
