GAMENOTES: Charlotte Hornets (4-14) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (9-8)

The Charlotte Hornets turn defense to offense in the 4th to come away with a must win against an even more depleted Sixers team.

FINAL

Charlotte Hornets 107 (5-14) - Philadelphia 76ers 101 (9-9)

SPECIAL NOTE

This Thanksgiving I’m thankful beyond words to every single person that has chosen to support my work here. When I made the choice to quit my day job to focus full time on being a dad and covering the Hornets it was scary! But I trusted that there was a group of people hungry for more and different kinds of Hornets coverage and you’ve come through in ways that exceeded my own expectations. Thank you and I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

THE BOXSCORE

QUICK TAKES FOR LOCKED ON HORNETS

• You lose this one and I think some of the belief starts to fade away. 

• The Hornets have a great 90’s offense.

• Clifford mentions Terry Rozier’s expanded role with so many injuries at point. Part of that is true but part of that is a choice by Clifford. It has clearly resulted in a drop in his shooting. Clifford obviously thinks it’s a sacrifice they have to make but I’m not as certain.

• Terry Rozier is still a certified gamer but he has to renew his certificate from 3.

THE BIG STORIES

• The Hornets faced off against a VERY depleted Sixers team on the second night of a back to back. This was pretty close to a must win and they finally made plays down the stretch despite their outside shooting woes continuing. Hornets relied on Terry Rozier’s midrange game and Theo Maledon’s defense late to get a lead they could hold onto in the 4th.

  • Hornets finally did some of the little things that lead to marginal wins but the reality is this was a wounded Sixers team and they still struggled at times. I don’t think this team is ready to go on a big winning streak.

• This game was an abomination unto modern NBA offense. 

  • 3PT SHOOTING: 76ers - 9/38, Hornets - 6/23

  • Oubre and Rozier 1/9 from 3

  • TURNOVERS: CHA 15 for 19p, 76ers 19 for 23p

• Dennis Smith Jr. tweaks his ankle again and does not return to the game. Probably just need to ice him until he’s 100% but they may not have the luxury.

PREGAME

• 🚑 Injuries/Absences

  • Cody Martin OUT (18) L Knee Procedure 

  • LaMelo Ball OUT (16) L Ankle Sprain  

  • PHI: James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid OUT

• 8 game home losing streak to PHI

• Montrezl Harrell return game

  • 16p 7r 1a in 21m

GAME

1st Quarter

• Just the tip: L (8-8)

  • Record after winning (3-5)

• 10:11 - Sloppy start for both teams. Turnovers and contested shots.

• EC mentions the Tobias Harris draft day trade that sent him away and brought in Bismack Biyombo and Corey Maggette. Tobias is good but he probably would have been shipped at some point anyways and I got some level of enjoyment out of the Biz experience. I’m okay with what happened. 

• 6:59 - Hornets TO 14-5 PHI start.

• 6:35 - Great ball pressure leads to a travel by Milton, Hayward converts in the midrange. 

• Clifford challenges a foul + goaltend. The fouls stands but the goaltend taken away. TECHNICALLY Clifford loses the challenge but it’s really a win bc it wipes the 2p away.

• 3:37 - POINT PLUMLEE GETS THE STEAL AND RUNS THE BREAK

  • 6p in 8 minutes

• 2:44 - Nick Richards through lots of contact off the glass. Beautiful.

• ARE YOU FURKAN KIDDING ME

• 33-21 PHI

  • 1/7 on 3s

  • D’Anthony Melton 13p

  • Washington, Plumlee and Richards stand out on offense. 

• Hornets do a start/bench/cut with Thanksgiving sides: stuffing, green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole. This one is easy folks. Start sweet potato casserole and watch it drop a 50 burger, bench stuffing aka 6th Side of the Year and cut green bean casserole, way too small, needs to get in the weight room and season up in the G League.