GAMENOTES: Charlotte Hornets (3-8) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7-3)
Charlotte Hornets 95 (3-9) - Portland Trail Blazers 105 (8-3)
THE BOXSCORE
WHAT I’M WATCHING
Both teams are dealing with multiple injuries. Will a fair(er) fight inspire the Hornets to have a better start?
Damian Lillard assists. Will stopping Lillard be enough? They’ve done a good job of taking away opposing stars during this losing streak but it’s resulted in bench wrenches being wide open for 3s who have summarily knocked them down.
He was able to do both. The defensive scheme of doubling and shading him (and Simons) was effective at times. Other times he got 1v1 vs. James Bouknight and it was BBQ chicken.
Terry Rozier offensive efficiency.
It was bad.
Turnovers in the paint.
THE BIG STORIES
The Charlotte Hornets was next level bad in the paint and in the halfcourt in general. Had it not been for putbacks and steals (effort type stuff) the Hornets would have put up closer to 70.
The guards in particular all shot poorly. James Bouknight had moments but generally stood out for poor play during key Portland runs in the 2nd and 3rd. Terry Rozier has played some of his worst basketball in the clutch which is un-Terry like.
Steve Clifford reveals postgame that LaMelo won’t be back for the next game against Miami on Thursday. No specifics given.
The losses are mounting and expectations of a playoff season may already be quietly slipping away.
PREGAME
🚑 Injuries/Absences
LaMelo Ball OUT (12) L Ankle Sprain
Cody Martin OUT (11) L Quad Soreness
Gordon Hayward OUT (4) L Shoulder Soreness
OUT for Blazers: Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant, Keon Johnson and Gary Payton the 2nd
Clifford says Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons are the biggest problems tonight.
One thing he likes about the approach of the young guys: approach, attitude, trying hard. “Handling frustration is a big part of the NBA.” He says they have to stop hanging their head when they miss their shots and focus on getting back.
On Portland: comfort level with zone defense, more than just a small thing they do. They play in it and stay in it.
Clifford sees Jalen McDaniels developing into an elite multiple position defender
GAME
1st Quarter
Just the tip: L (6-6)
Record after winning (2-4)
Hornets play defense for :56 seconds to begin the game bc of OREBs but no points for POR
Love him or hate him, Mason Plumlee does typically help the Hornets start games with a bucket or two.
6:55 - Hornets give up 5 OREB (3 to sub Drew Eubanks) but still lead by 3 - Hornets TO 13-10
2:40 - McDaniels hits the corner 3 GREAT SIGN
1:33 - steal and score by DSJ, his second! 4/4
1:02 - the really bad Bouknight 3pt misses continue.
:48 - POR timeout - Hornets up 30-23
Simons drives right by Rozier for a layup and PJ misses badly. Slightly sour end to the quarter.
30-25 CHA
Hornets hit 4 3 pointers. That’s been a game’s worth during this streak.
DSJ’s defense into transition buckets sparks a run 4/4 for 9p
Mason Plumlee 3a
Kelly Oubre has to start hitting some 3s. Already has 9 shots.
High pace
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