The Charlotte Hornets (13-9) loss a tough one Saturday night to the Houston Rockets (3-16), 146-143 in overtime. The Hornets gave up twenty three 3-pointers to the Rockets and allowed them to shoot 54% from the field.
Once again, the Hornets got off to a slow start, playing on the second night of a back to back. They most likely took the Rockets lightly because of their subpar record.
Charlotte trailed by as many as sixteen points in the first quarter, while surrendering dunks, offensive boards and free throws. LaMelo Ball led the Hornets back into the game, getting them within single digits. The Rockets were able to push the lead back out to double figures and at the end of the first quarter, the Hornets trailed by thirteen, 43-30.
The Hornets came back to life starting the second quarter. They started to have their way on the offensive glass. Charlotte was able to attack the basket and even up the free throw attempts.
Ball found P.J. Washington on the fast break for an alley-opp to pull the Hornets within one. Charlotte gave up two shots from beyond the arc to veteran Eric Gordon to extend the Rockets lead. The Hornets went on a run to get back in the game, then Terry Rozier hit a tough 3-pointer with just seven seconds remaining in the first half to give them the lead, but the lead was short lived. Kevin Porter Jr. dribbled the length of the court and knocked down a buzzer beater from beyond the arc. At the half, the Rockets led 73-71.
Both teams got off to a hot start coming out of the locker room, hitting three 3-pointers apiece. The Rockets scored on six of their first seven possessions and stretched their lead back out to double figures. They would not miss from long range, adding eight more 3-pointers. At the end of the third quarter, the Hornets were losing by eleven points, 110-99.
The Rockets were still on fire from beyond the arc to start the final quarter, connecting on two straight to build their lead to 17 points. The Hornets were able to fight back with a 9-0 run of their own to slice the lead to eight. They eventually took control of the game, outscoring Houston 25-7. The run was capped off by a Kelly Oubre Jr. put back.
The Rockets would not go away, as the teams went back and forth. Two way player Garrison Matthews hit a clutch 3-point shot to give them a three point lead late in the quarter. Rozier then scored, making a move on Christian Wood to bring the Hornets within one. Washington then knotted the game on Charlotte’s next possession.
The Rockets had 4.4 seconds left to hit the winning shot, but Cody Martin had other ideas. He intercepted the ball at half court and heaved it, but missed to send the game into overtime, tied at 135.
Rozier started the extra session with an elbow jump shot, but the Rockets answered with six straight points. The teams exchanged field goals and the Rockets had a four point lead with about a minute left in overtime. Their dunk attempt went awry and the Hornets stole the ball and scored, putting them within two. Oubre Jr. got an open look, but it went in and out. With only 0.3 seconds remaining, the Hornets could not do anything with the ball.
“They were too comfortable, too early,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “They got what they wanted. They made 3s. Give them credit — they made shots tonight, but we could’ve been much better, defensively.” “You’re going to have these moments,” Borrego said. “But I love that this group continued to battle. Nobody gave in tonight, but we kept fighting, pushed it to overtime and had a chance to win it.”
Christian Wood had a career-high 33 points and had 16 rebounds for the Rockets. Five other Rockets were in double figures. Kevin Porter Jr. had 23, Eric Gordon 22, Garrison Mathews 20 and Jae’Sean Tate added 16.
Terry Rozier had a team high 31 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists for the Hornets. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 23 points off the bench, Miles Bridges scored 22 points, Gordon Hayward had 21 points and LaMelo had his third career triple double, scoring 19 points with 11 boards and 13 assists.
The Rockets host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night. The Hornets travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls on Monday night.
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