The Charlotte Hornets wrapped up a five-game homestand with an impressive win over the Utah Jazz, 107-101, on Friday, in front of a sellout crowd. It was Utah’s third straight loss.
The Hornets got off to another slow start, giving up three offensive rebounds on the Jazz’s first three possessions of the game. Coach James Borrego did not like the energy, so he called an early timeout. The timeout seemed to rally the troops and they responded with more intensity and passion.
Terry Rozier carried the Hornets throughout the first quarter, with 11 points, nine of those coming from beyond the arc. A couple of shots from downtown briefly gave the Hornets an advantage. Then Miles Bridges turned the ball over while attempting to dribble the clock down. The Jazz converted it for a three point play and took a one point lead heading into the second quarter, 24-23.
LaMelo Ball, who had been in a shooting slump for the first 15 minutes of the game, started to impose his will. He knocked down two three-pointers and had a spectacular three point play, to give the Hornets a small lead.
Both teams traded baskets in a sudden offensive barrage. The Hornets led by as many as six, as Bridges started to find his offensive rhythm. Donovan Mitchell heaved a shot from near half court to pull the Jazz within three, 54-51, going into halftime.
Ball and Bridges started the second half on fire, scoring the first 13 points for the Hornets, building their lead to as large as nine. The Hornets could never extend their lead to double figures, with Utah always fighting back. They were able to knock down a string of three-pointers to remain in shouting distance.
The Jazz worked their way to within a single basket and then kicked away a Ball pass. The officials missed the call and a stunned Hornets team did not get back on defense, as Jordan Clarkson hit an uncontested shot from deep. The Jazz held on to that one point lead going into the final frame, 78-77.
It was a nip and tuck ballgame, as the lead switched hands in a total of 17 times in the early stages of the fourth quarter. A Hornets timeout sparked a run where they forced a couple of mistakes and hit three straight shots to take a six point lead, but the Jazz quickly rallied and took back the lead.
Rozier hit a fading shot from range and gave the Hornets a three point advantage, but Mitchell answered with a miraculous leaning floater. Bridges attached Jazz big man Rudy Gobert to get to the charity stripe and converted two free throws to restore the three point lead. Mitchell missed an easy layup and the Hornets secured the defensive board. Rozier knocked down two free throws and Mitchell missed a deep three over the backboard, allowing the Hornets to escape with their fifth win in six games.
“That’s a high-caliber, championship-level team, so for us to execute in a close game (against them) speaks volumes about our team and how far we’ve come,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “The growth, the resiliency and the togetherness. … I’m really proud of our guys.”
Mitchell led the Jazz with 26 points. He also had three rebounds, seven assists and one steal. Clarkson scored 19 points, three boards, four dimes and one block off the bench. Juancho Hernangomez added 14 points, five rebounds and one assist. Gobert finished with a double-double, 11 points and 19 boards, with one assist and one rejection.
Bridges had a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets. He also had four assists and one block. Rozier scored 25 points, with four boards, one helper and one steal. Ball had a great floor game contributing 21 points, four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Montrezl Harrell finished with nine points, four rebounds and three assists off the bench.
The Jazz travel to Dallas to face Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Sunday. The Hornets travel to Brooklyn to play Kyrie Irving, playing in his first home game this season, and the Nets on Sunday.
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