The Hornets are treated to a grand tour of 8 in Houston

The Rockets were hoping for a reaction against the Hornets, the day after a a tough loss to Boston. After this setback, coach Ime Udoka publicly pointed out his team’s lack of intensity and combativeness, urging his players to rediscover the qualities that made up their identity last season. But in front of their home crowd, the same flaws quickly resurfaced, with Alperen Sengun completely out of the loop.

From the first half, Charlotte took control of the match thanks to their aggressiveness and better offensive performance. LaMelo Ball took advantage of Houston’s defensive generosity to punish from long range, while Miles Bridges attacked the circle without real resistance. Despite an already very prominent Kevin Durant, the Rockets accumulated turnovers and conceded too many points on their mistakes, leaving the Hornets to return to the locker room with a comfortable lead (61-49).

Houston tried to revive itself after returning from the locker room, carried by Durant, the author of 31 total points, and the efficiency of Jabari Smith Jr. Durant’s basket even brought the Rockets back to -7, but any attempt to get closer was immediately stifled by Charlotte. The outside shots of Ball and Zion James, then the consistency of rookie Kon Knuepel, allowed the Hornets to regain momentum and end the third quarter with a 16-point advantage (91-75).

The beginning of the fourth quarter definitely sealed the outcome of the game. Brandon Miller scored the first baskets, the deficit climbed over twenty points, and Udoka quickly emptied his bench and left Durant on the sidelines for the rest of the match. Final score: 109-99, Charlotte’s eighth consecutive victory, the club’s longest streak since the late 1990s!

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Twenty-seven years of waiting! The late Elden Campbell and Bobby Phils, David Wesley and Eddie Jones and Ricky Davis… They were the Hornets’ star players when they won eight in a row. It was April 1999 and despite a record above 50%, Charlotte failed to make the playoffs.

Rockets on a rope. Even if Houston is still 4th in the West, its place in the Top 6 doesn’t matter anymore… Players Named Udoka are under threat from the Wolves, Lakers and Suns, three teams that have almost identical records. With around thirty matches to go, every win will count double to avoid match-ups.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.