CHARLOTTE–The Charlotte Hornets got off to a quick start and never looked back as they lead the entire game and matched a season high in points scored in a 135-115 win over the Phoenix Suns.
The Hornets had eight players score in double figures and were lead by Kemba Walker with 21 points and Jeremy Lamb 18 points. Also scoring in double figures were Nick Batum 15 points, Tony Parker and Marvin Williams 14 points each, Bismack Biyombo 11 points and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Miles Bridges added 10 points each. Biyombo also added 13 rebounds and five blocked shots. The Suns were lead in scoring by Devin Booker with 32 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. with 24 points.
“I think in general our guys were trying tonight, being disruptive and physical. I thought they were giving us great effort,” said Charlotte Coach James Borrego. “And it started with the starters, I think they were fantastic. Second quarter not so much, and part of that was our offense there, you know we turned it over. I think we got careless with the ball. We got a lead, got a little careless and comfortable and starting turning it over which led to easy stuff [for Phoenix]. But I think overall a very good defensive game – got to be even better tomorrow night.”
“I think Biz [Biyombo] was really big for us defensively on the board; he really anchored our defense; he did a great job on the board,” said Borrego. “His physicality down there. And that’s why he’s been in this league so long, he’s a presence at the rim. He’s a presence on the board, when he rolls to the bucket he commands some attention. I thought he was fantastic tonight.”
Charlotte shot 54.5 percent from the field and made 16 of 34 3-point attempts in the victory. The Hornets had 31 assists – six each by Lamb and Nic Batum – much to the delight of Borrego. ”Our ball movement was great,” he said. ”When we move the ball like that we are a dangerous offense.”
”Yeah, they just hit us right in the mouth,” Suns coach Igor Kokoskov said. ”It was their first punch right to the head. By the time we figured out what was going on, we were down 20 (points). Every cut they were making, screens they were setting, everything had a purpose. They were sharper and also had more energy than we did.”
The win was Charlotte’s second ver Phoenix in the last 14 days and moved the Hornets to 22-23 overall on the season.
