San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
HORNETS FEED OFF ENERGY FROM FANS
Lamelo Ball had 23 points and nine rebounds, and host Charlotte defeated the short-handed Toronto Raptors 114-104 Saturday night in the Hornets’ first game with the general public allowed to attend.
Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier each added 17 points for the Hornets, who seemed to feed off having fans — about 3,000 of them — in attendance for the first time in more than a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Charlotte jumped out to a 25-4 lead and set a franchise record with 11 3-pointers in the first quarter in building a 44-24 lead.
“There’s no question our guys felt that energy before the game,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “It felt like NBA basketball was back tonight. Our players felt it and they played off it. It’s a credit to the energy our fans brought.”
Ball, who finished 6 of 9 from 3-point range and continued to bolster his NBA rookie of the year résumé, said he got excited during pregame warmups seeing and hearing fans.
“It was amazing,” Ball said. “Every game with fans is way more fun. The intensity just rises up.”
Kyle Lowry finished with 19 points and eight assists to lead the Raptors, who lost their fourth straight game without Pascal Siakam, Fred Van Vleet, Patrick Mccaw, OG Anunoby and Malachi Flynn due to health and safety protocols. Coach Nick Nurse said he believes all five players will miss today’s game against the Chicago Bulls as well.
Ball, Rozier and Graham each had three 3s in the opening quarter and combined for 15 in the game.
“They got pretty much everything they wanted (in the first quarter) and it seemed like they weren’t missing a 3,” Raptors forward Deandre’ Bembry said.
Ball made one notable highlight reel 3-pointer when he caught a lookahead pass from P.J. Washington in the corner, did a 360-degree turn to avoid a defender and still knocked down the shot.
“That is just how he plays,” Graham said of Ball. “It doesn’t surprise me.”
Malik Monk added 16 points for the Hornets (1918), who moved above .500 for the first time since Jan. 11. This is the latest into the season the Hornets have had a winning record since the 2016-17 season.
Charlotte led by 25 entering the fourth quarter and the only question at that point was if they would set a franchise record for 3-pointers. But the Hornets, who played their reserves most of the fourth quarter, made just one 3 in the fourth quarter and finished the game 21 of 49 from beyond the arc.
Nets 100, Pistons 95: James Harden scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and had his ninth triple-double with the Nets to help Brooklyn beat visiting Detroit.
Harden also added 10 rebounds and 10 assists in his 55th triple-double as Brooklyn improved to 26-13 with its 12th win in its last 16 games.
“I play the game the right way,” Harden said, “and hopefully good things happen for me.”
Kyrie Irving added 18 points and Landry Shamet had 15 off the bench. Deandre Jordan chipped in with 14 and Joe Harris contributed 10 points.
Whereas the Nets rolling, the Pistons are stuck in neutral.
“We want to win these types of games,” said Delon Wright.
Bucks 125, Wizards 119:
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds for his sixth triple-double of the season in visiting Milwaukee’s victory over short-handed Washington. Russell Westbrook scored 42 points — including 15 of Washington’s last 18 — and added 10 rebounds and 12 assists for his Nba-leading 11th tripledouble.
Knicks 119, Thunder 97:
RJ Barrett scored a careerhigh 32 points, and Julius Randle had a triple-double to lead New York past host Oklahoma City. Randle had 26 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to became the first Knicks player with two triple-doubles in a same season since Mark Jackson in 1988-89.
Hawks 121, Kings 106:
Trae Young scored 17 of 28 points in the third quarter, Clint Capela had 18 of his 24 in the first half and host Atlanta beat Sacramento for its fourth straight victory. Capela also had 14 rebounds to help the Hawks improve to 4-0 under interim coach Nate Mcmillan.
Trail Blazers 125, Timberwolves 121: Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points and Damian Lillard added 25 points and 10 assists in Portland’s victory over host Minnesota. Karl-anthony Towns led Minnesota with 34 points and 10 rebounds.
Pacers 122, Suns 111:
Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points and Domantas Sabonis had 22 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals as visiting Indiana rolled past Phoenix. Caris Lavert scored 13 points in his first game with the Pacers.
Mavericks 116, Nuggets 103: Kristaps Porzingas scored 25 points and Luka Doncic had 22 points and 12 assists as visiting Dallas took a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds for Denver.
Hornets 114, Raptors 104