The Charlotte Hornets (12-8), were able to overcome poor shooting to beat the Orlando Magic (4-15) 106-99, giving them their seventh win in their last eight games.
A two minute long drought from the field to start the first quarter came to a halt when LaMelo Ball hit a 3-pointer for the Hornets. The offense was a bone chilling 1-13 from the field, missing some wide-open shot attempts. It resulted in an 11-5 deficit for Charlotte midway through the quarter.
Charlotte was able to find a rhythm on the offensive end. A 4-of-9 shooting stretch after the cold start was topped off by a Kelly Oubre Jr. 3-pointer, which cut the Magic’s lead to four, 21-17. The Hornets were driving to the basket, getting seven free throws and Ball scoring 10 points, as the Magic led 28-24 at the end of the quarter.
Terry Rozier was on fire starting the second quarter, leading the way as the Hornets squared the game at 36, with just over nine minutes remaining in the quarter. Charlotte had difficulty finishing possessions, but the offense was better when Rozier was at the controls.
Ball tried a low percentage play, missed and fouled the rebounder. He was immediately benched by head coach James Borrego. Despite poor shooting from the field, 38.5% and from behind the arc, 30%, Charlotte took a three point lead into halftime, 52-49. The bench was impressive and Rozier had a great floor game in the first half, scoring 12 points along with four assists and three steals.
Magic’s center Mo Bamba was assessed a technical foul in the early going of the third quarter and Rozier went on to miss his first technical foul shot of his career. That did not slow him down as he continued to lead the Hornets throughout the rest of the quarter. The Magic’s rookie Jalen Suggs took over their offense and propelled them to a 69-67 lead halfway through the third.
The Magic extended their lead to seven, then the momentum shifted back to the Hornets. Oubre Jr. gave the Hornets a 78-74 lead just over 90 seconds later. Cody Martin came off the bench in the third quarter and had a big impact with shut-down defense and outstanding playmaking. A 15-3 Hornets run gave them a five point lead, 82-77, heading into the fourth quarter.
Martin and Jalen McDaniels continued their sound play to start the final stanza. Charlotte played an effective zone defense, which made it hard for the Magic to find good shooting areas on the court. Rozier continued his hot hand with timely baskets and gave the Hornets a 102-90 lead, with just under three minutes to go in regulation.
In what has been an issue for the Hornets, they had trouble delivering the knockout punch. Orlando never gave up until the clock hit zero, but Ball scoring a pair of difficult finishes inside iced the game 106-99.
“The identity of a winning team is to find different ways to win every night,” said Charlotte coach James Borrego. “It was a different script tonight, and different guys stepped up for us.”
Terry Rozier had a team high 27 points along with 5 assists and 6 steals. He shot 50% from the field for the Hornets. LaMelo Ball finished with 22 points, four boards and 4 assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 21 points and 6 rebounds off the bench. The Hornets received 38 points from the reserves and got to the charity strike 21 times.
Mo Bamba had a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Magic. Jalen Suggs had 17 points and 6 dimes. Wendell Carter Jr. also had a double-double with 14 points and 11 boards.
The Magic host the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. The Hornets host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday evening also.
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