Charlotte Hornets: Greensboro Swarm Weekly Recap, Jan. 27th – Feb. 3rd

As February rolls around, the Charlotte Hornets’ D-League affiliate has been steadily improving and are looking to make a push as they hit the home stretch. Here’s a recap of the Swarm’s games from January 27 to February 3.

Greensboro 98, Maine 97 (January 27)

Archie Goodwin dropped 21 points and nine boards, Rasheed Sulaimon added 20, and the Greensboro Swarm held off the Maine Red Claws for a road win. Perry Ellis had 19 points and 11 boards off the bench for Greensboro, who also got 14 points from Xavier Munford and 12 points and 10 rebounds from Mike Tobey.

Meanwhile, Maine was led by former Duke player Ryan Kelly‘s 20 points and 12 boards. Maine had a 14 point lead, but the Swarm whittled it down in the second period when they scored 31 points. The Red Claws hit 10-29 three pointers to Greensboro’s 5-19, holding a 30-15 point advantage on the perimeter. But Greensboro forced 23 Maine turnovers, resulting in 32 points, and also outscored Maine in the paint (60-40), second chance points (19-4), and the fastbreak (20-10). The Swarm also outrebounded Maine 49-45.

The two teams would face off again the next day on the second night of the home-and-home series.

Maine 111, Greensboro 98 (January 28)

Aaron Harrison had 32 points in his last game as a member of the Swarm, but his effort wasn’t enough as the Swarm fell to Maine a night after beating them by one. Mike Tobey had 16 points and 13 boards, Xavier Munford and Damien Wilkins had 15 points apiece, and Archie Goodwin had 14 points for Greensboro.

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Jalen Jones and Marques Georges-Hunt led the way for Maine, dropping 28 and 27 points respectively. The Red Claws led end to end in this one, and their largest lead was 27 points. The two teams actually matched each other in bench production (28 points) but the Red Claws outscored Greensboro in the paint 56-40. They also grabbed 48 rebounds to the Swarm’s 42. Ultimately, Greensboro’s 39% field goal percentage doomed them.

The Swarm got a much-needed break and got an off day before playing the Long Island Nets.

Greensboro 118, Long Island 108 (January 30)

Behind six double-digit scorers, the Greensboro Swarm overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat the Long Island Nets. Greensboro had a 33-points fourth quarter that got them over the hump and to their 10th win of the season. Cheick Diallo played his first game for Greensboro and made the most of it, tallying 18 points and 12 boards.

Perry Ellis had 23 points, Archie Goodwin had 22, nine boards and seven dimes, and Xavier Munford had 20 points and five assists. Rasheed Sulaimon added 13 points and seven boards, and Mike Tobey had 11 points and 12 boards for another double-double.

The Nets were outscored in the paint (70-58), second chance points (25-21) and on the fastbreak (24-13). Lazar Hayward dropped 27 points and 10 boards to lead five Nets players in double figures. The game was very chippy, as the teams combined for seven technical fouls, including one defensive three second call, but the Swarm overcame all negatives to send the Nets to their 19th loss.

Greensboro 126, Long Island 108 (February 3)

After the departure of Aaron Harrison, the Greensboro Swarm knew they needed their remaining guards to step up. Rasheed Sulaimon certainly responded, as he dropped 30 points, seven rebounds and five dimes off the bench to stifle the Long Island Nets. Greensboro also got 24 points and 10 boards from Archie Goodwin, 21,13 boards, and five dimes from newly-acquired Cheick Diallo, 20 from Perry Ellis, and 17 from veteran Damien Wilkins.

Former Georgia State standout RJ Hunter had 19 points to lead five double-figure scorers for Long Island, who lost to the Swarm for the second time in a row.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjGWza2eN4w

Long Island actually outrebounded Greensboro 53-48 and won the battle in second chance points (20-15), but it wasn’t enough as Greensboro continuously pounded the ball inside to build a 70-66 advantage in points in the paint.

Next: Greensboro Swarm Roster Makeover

The Swarm will play Long Island for the third straight game and last of the season series tonight at 7p.m. The game will be played in Greensboro and will be broadcast on Facebook Live as well as YouTube.