GAMENOTES: Charlotte Hornets (1-3) vs. Indiana Pacers (3-2) - November 4th, 2023

Whatever this game was on....I want some.

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 125 (2-3) - Indiana Pacers 124 (3-3)

THE BOXSCORE

THE BIG STORIES

• It was one of the most insane regular season Hornets game in recent memory. The Hornets attempted to slow the game down in the first half with a heavy dose of Gordon Hayward baseline spins. It seemed to be going to plan as they went into the break with an 8 point lead. This despite another slow start for LaMelo Ball. In the 3rd, Tyrese Halburton awoke from his slumber and unleashed 25 points in a 50 point quarter for the Pacers. Luckily for the Hornets, Hayward, PJ and Terry Rozier took advantage of one of the worst defenses in the league to keep pace. The Hornets doubled Haliburton, slowing him down and helping the Hornets to a 16-2 run in the middle of the 4th to reclaim the lead. After a mad scramble for the ball with less than 30 seconds to go, the Hornets found themselves up 1 with the ball and only 21 seconds left. All they had to was inbounds and hold but LaMelo skipped it ahead to PJ Washington who tried to score a quick layup but fumbled it out of bounds instead. On the final possession Tyrese Haliburton got an ISO look versus LaMelo Ball but Ball stood him up and stripped the ball sealing the game.

• Terry Rozier went down halfway through the 4th with a left groin strain. If he misses extended time it will be a huge loss for the Hornets. He's scored 20+ points in all 5 contests. He hasn't been super efficient but he's been a bucket getter in a time when LaMelo Ball is struggling to find the bottom of the net. Brandon Miller played the entire 4th quarter in his absence. The Hornets play tomorrow and I would be shocked if Miller wasn't the starting 2 guard vs. Dallas.

• It was a bounce back game for Mark Williams who finished with a team-high 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. The rebounding numbers are still concerning and early turnovers disrupted the offensive plan but it's hard to understate his impact on the game with some late possession bailouts and accurate free throw shooting.

• It was the second straight game that LaMelo Ball turned his game up in the 4th quarter after struggling through the first 3.

QUICK TAKES FOR LOCKED ON HORNETS