Hornets Implode in Fourth Quarter, Lose to Clippers

Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball led the Charlotte Hornets in scoring with 21 points each, but they could not overcome an extended 22-0 run in the fourth quarter by the Los Angeles Clippers, losing their fourth straight game, 120-106 on Sunday night.

The Hornets actually got off to a good start, believe it or not. A 19-4 run in the first quarter gave the Hornets an early double digit advantage. The scoring did not stop through the end of the quarter and the Hornets finished with an eight point lead, 39-31.

The momentum Charlotte displayed in the first quarter completely shifted in the second. They only scored 19 points. They went a little over four minutes without a made basket in the first half of the second quarter. The lead that the Hornets obtained was a thing of the past within the first five minutes of the quarter. A Terance Mann buzzer-beater at the end of the first half, gave the Clippers a three point lead, 61-58.

Coming out to begin the third quarter, the two teams played relatively evenly. The Clippers had a couple of mini runs, but the Hornets had a response every time, and kept the game close. The Hornets were able to slice a point off the Clippers halftime lead, despite the Clippers hot shooting from beyond the arc with six 3-pointers. They trailed by two, 89-87, heading into the final quarter.

The Hornets started the fourth quarter fast with a 15-4 run. It was sparked by a Miles Bridges’ dunk on the very first possession of the frame. That seemingly comfortable lead disappeared in the blink of an eye when the Clippers amazingly scored eight points on two possessions. The Hornets went absolutely frigid from the field. They went six minutes without making a basket or even converting on a free throw, as the Clippers scored 22 straight points. The Hornets missed twelve shots in a row and many of those shot attempts were rushed and not in the flow of the offense, as everyone tried to be the guy to break the cold spell.

The game resembled what happened in their Wednesday contest against the Golden State Warriors. The Hornets started the game efficient, but could not buy a basket in the late going when they really needed it.

The Hornets have not put together a 48-minute game on both ends of the floor over the last week, especially on this current west coast road trip. When they defend well, their offense goes awry. When they have not defended well, they have given up 140 points.

Paul George had a team high 20 points and reached a milestone with 14,500 career points and is one of seven active players with that many points, as well as 4,500 rebounds and 2,500 steals. Reggie Jackson added 19 points for the Clippers for their fourth straight victory. Luke Kennard had 18 points coming off the bench and Terance Mann had a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards.

“It was our defense,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. “I think our defense really picked up, our physicality, our attention to detail was a lot better. I thought our focus in the first half, physically, was pretty bad.”

Along with Ball and Bridges’ 21 points each, Terry Rozier also contributed 17 points for Charlotte.

“They have a good chemistry,” Hornets head coach James Borrego said of his Ball-Bridges guard combination. “They know how to play together, look for each other, especially in transition at the rim. I think both guys grew up tonight; they took a step forward.”

Clippers big man Serge Ibaka was active for the first time this season, after having back surgery in June. He played limited minutes and went 0-3 from the field. He was just trying to get his feet wet and get acclimated to his teammates.

“Now, I think the most important thing is for me to be patient,” said Ibaka, as he started his 13 season and second with the Clippers after he averaged 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds in 41 games last season. “I’ll try to dig in with my teammates. It’s gonna come. It’s the first game in almost a year. But I’m healthy, I’m back and I’m in good shape.”

The Hornets P.J. Washington was sidelined for the second straight game with a hyperextended left elbow. Center Mason Plumlee was active and in the starting lineup after being a game-time decision with a left rib contusion, but failed to reach double digits in rebounds or points for the sixth-consecutive game.

The Clippers host the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. The Hornets play the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.