This Sunday, the Hornets were moving into the Falcon’s nest to try to steal the eggs. Without LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Jalen McDaniels and Mason Plumlee – all four entered into the COVID protocol – James Borrego’s squad had the onerous task of ending a streak of three consecutive losses, away, from a direct competitor to the Top 8. We debrief.
The pretty homemade boxscore, it’s HERE!
It is one of those evenings when names no longer count. Regardless of the size, the heart is so generous that it takes over from a roster weakened by the vagaries of a regular season. From a regular season, or a pandemic since LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Jalen McDaniels and Mason Plumlee all entered the COVID protocol last Saturday. A blow behind the neck of the Hornets (13-11) occurred in the middle of a series of three consecutive defeats (Rockets, Bucks and Bulls). Not only is the timing bad, but the gateway to the Top 8 of the Eastern Conference is completely blocked by quality teams with similar ambitions. We think of the Knicks (11-12), Philly (12-11), Cleveland (13-11), Boston (13-11), Washington (14-10) and of course Atlanta (12-11). Each franchise affected by this Playoffs race It is therefore in his interest to keep his infirmary as empty as possible, the slightest air hole threatening the loss of sight of the peloton. This is also why this Hawks – Hornets was the match to win, in order to take a golden ramp and surf on a new dynamic. The Hornets obviously liked the concept and walked away with the State Farm Arena safe. A 127-130 victory won by sweat from the forehead, the soul pegged to the body. Despite a Trae Young in 25/4/15, a John Collins with 32 points and 12 rebounds as well as a Timothée « Cocorico » Luwawu-Cabarrot with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks in… 39 minutes of play (biggest playing time of the Hawks), it was indeed the Hornets who had the last word.
No LaMelo.
No Rozier.
No McDaniels & Plumlee.BUT A GREAT TEAM ????
Bridges was fantastic and clutch. The Martin / PJ duo had a great game off the bench. Smith replaced Ball perfectly and Kelly finished the match with 28 points ????♂️
Victory 130-127 ????
— HornetsFR ???? (@HornetsFR) December 6, 2021
When Miles Bridges and Kelly Oubre Jr. are so nimble, dexterous, aggressive and determined not to come away empty-handed, it’s hard to argue with them. The first named continues to roll on the star-spangled highway and slips an additional document into his All-Star Game application package: 32 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 interceptions, 1 against and 0 ball lost at 73% shooting including 4/6 of the parking lot. This is Miles Bridges’ sixth 30-point game this season, a stark contrast to the three previous seasons – his first three in the NBA – when he only reached his thirties three times in a game. And then Kelly Oubre Jr., who has just had his fifth start of the season. He ends the game with 28 points and 0 turnover at 65% shooting, including 6/10 from the parking lot. It’s pretty crazy to think that a duo has compiled 60 points straight away, without losing a single ball. In addition to the statistical aspect, Caleb Martin and PJ Washington enjoyed leaving the bench. The two fellows proved to be as useful offensively as they were defensively, with extremely short actions at the very end of the game. We do not forget to top Ish Smith who did not have to dye his hair blond to make LaMelo Ball forget: 18 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists at 57% shooting. Everyone was focused (except Gordon Hayward), it is a united victory.
28 for @KELLYOUBREJR.
32 for @MilesBridges.The @hornets duo capped their big nights with respective clutch buckets late! pic.twitter.com/sfrQIRDnmy
– NBA (@NBA) December 6, 2021
The Hornets leave with the feathers of Falcons who missed their reception. An extremely important wasted cartridge for Nate McMillan and his guys, it’s up to them to get up on Monday in Minnesota.
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