Hornets Destroyed by Bucks

The Charlotte Hornets lost in blowout fashion to the Milwaukee Bucks, 130-106 on Monday.

The Hornets got off to a fast start with four three pointers by LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Charlotte relied heavily on the three-point shot in the opening frame, connecting on 6-of-13 from downtown. The Bucks used the remainder of the quarter to climb their way back into the game. Giannis Antetokounpo brought the crowd to their feet with a vicious rejection. After driving to the hole and missing a layup, then pleading for a foul to be called, he swiftly ran down the floor to swat away a layup attempt by Hornets center Mason Plumlee, then raised his right arm in triumph. Ball finished the quarter with 13 points, as the teams knotted the game at 32.

The Bucks came out on fire from three-point range, making three wide open shots to start the second quarter. A James Borrego timeout temporarily stopped the bleeding, while the Hornets trailed by nine, 48-39, with just under seven minutes left in the second.
Milwaukee went on an extended 38-14 run that blew the contest wide open. Bobby Portis scored eight points during the surge. The Bucks led by 23 going into the locker room, 76-53. Milwaukee scored 44 points in the second quarter. Their previous high point total this season was 43 in the third period of a 117-113 win at Boston on December 25.

A 20-11 start to the third quarter all but ended the game with over 19 minutes remaining. The Hornets offense was mainly jump shots and Montrezel Harrell free throws. Portis started to heat up from the great beyond, which kept the Hornets from even getting close. At the end of three, the Bucks had a commanding lead, 108-76.

From that point on, the Bucks had the game in cruise control. The Hornets continued to have problems in every phase of the game, including free throws. They attempted 14 foul shots and made only seven. For the rest of the game, Coach Mike Budenholzer brought in his bench, while the Hornets kept in their regular rotation, which made the score look a little more respectable.

Hornets’ coach James Borrego said the second quarter “was a combination of things, poor offense, give them credit. They were the more physical team in the first half.”

Antetokounmpo had a double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds for the Bucks. He also had six assists, two steal and four blocks. Jrue Holiday scored 21 points, had six boards and eight dimes. Portis had a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards. Kris Middleton contributed 19 points, four rebounds and three helpers.

Ball had a team-high 24 points for Charlotte. He also had four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Rozier scored 17 points, with four rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Kelly Oubre Jr. also contributed 17 points, with seven rebounds and four assists off the bench. Bridges added 14 points and three rebounds.

The Bucks host Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat on Thursday. The Heat have won two out of the first three match ups against the Bucks this season. The Hornets travel to Cleveland to take on Jared Allen and the Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Hornets are 1-2 vs. the Cavaliers this season.