Hornets, Bridges Beat Magic

The Charlotte Hornets got their fourth win in five games Wednesday night, beating the Orlando Magic by nine, 120-111.

Miles Bridges led both teams in scoring with 31 points and Gordon Hayward had an additional 24 for the Hornets. Bridges, who has registered 30 points or more for the third time in four games, made a shot from the great beyond with 1:02 remaining, to salt the game away for Charlotte. Their only loss of the season was in an overtime game against the Boston Celtics, 138-134, on Monday night.

Cole Anthony led the Magic in scoring with 24 points and six assists. Wendell Carter Jr. had a double-double with 20 points and 10 boards. The Magic committed eight crucial turnovers in the fourth quarter, after leading for the majority of the game.

The Hornets got a key contribution from Jalen McDaniels off the bench. He put in 16 big points and a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter with 8:18 left to give the Hornets the lead for good. Point guard LaMelo Ball followed up McDaniels’ shot with a 3-pointer of his own and Bridges returned to the game to make sure the Hornets did not lose the lead.

After the Hornets erased a 12-point deficit, the dynamic duo of Bridges and Hayward combined for 21 points in the second quarter to propel the Hornets into the lead by three, 64-61 going into the locker room.

Gary Harris and Anthony rallied the Magic to an 85-77 lead in the third quarter, but Bridges went on an individual 8-0 run for Charlotte to tie the game at 85.

The Hornets shot an impressive 52% from the field and had a 40-33 advantage on the glass, led by Mason Plumlee with 10.

Bridges and Hayward shouldered the offensive load with Ball and Kelly Oubre Jr. struggling. The Hornets bench came through as Cody Martin scored 12 points and as stated previously, Jalen McDaniels, 16 points and they combined to shoot 7-of-9 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the charity strike. Mason Plumlee had his best game of the young season, finishing with 14 points, ten rebounds and four assists.

Guard Terry Rozier (sprained left ankle), worked out Wednesday and is hopeful of playing Friday.

The Magic are playing at Toronto vs. the Raptors on Friday night. The Hornets will be in a nationally televised game against the Miami Heat on ESPN on Friday.