GAMENOTES: Charlotte Hornets (1-1) vs. Brooklyn Nets (0-2) - October 30th, 2023

The Nets go small and run and the Hornets couldn't catch up

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 121 (1-2) - Brooklyn Nets 133 (1-2)

THE BOXSCORE

Credit: DALL-E 3

THE BIG STORIES

• Like the Pistons before them, the Nets came into the Spectrum Center with a plan and the Hornets offered little resistance early. The Nets were forced by injuries to their starting front court to go small. Clifford decided not to adjust his rotation, challenging his team to defend, rebound and find advantages for Mark Williams. They accomplished one of those as Mark Williams scored the first 8 Hornets points over smaller defenders. He finished with 6 dunks on the game. But the Hornets had no answer for Brooklyn's lightning fast and effective transition game, allowing 17 fast break points in the 1st quarter. The Hornets made some headway in the 2nd and 3rd but didn't have enough shooting (25.8% from 3) to counter the Brooklyn attack led by Cam Thomas (33p 10-17) and Mikal Bridges (24p 10-13).

• LaMelo Ball continues his cold start to the season. In 22 minutes of play he was 3 of 12 from the field, missing all 6 of his 3 point attempts for 8 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds. Already on a minutes restriction, he was limited by foul trouble throughout the game. He fouled out with 2:49 left to play. Clifford says he (along with Mark Williams) are behind after being cleared for contact shortly before camp. Ball is a high usage player and it seems like the Hornets will be forced to ride the difficult road to recovery with him.

• Brandon Miller, on the other hand, looked every bit the mature rookie he was advertised as in training camp. He's making shots that he didn't make in the preseason and expanding his one on one game finishing effectively around the rim. There are still mistakes for sure, but they are the same kinds of mistakes that Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward are making. Most of them were on the defensive end where he bit on a Cam Thomas pump fake, fouled a 3 point shooter and let Simmons fly by him.

QUICK TAKES FOR LOCKED ON HORNETS

• I respect the philosophy of wanting to play your game and not let the other team dictate how you play with their lineup. But…