Charlotte Hornets Comeback Falls Short Against the Explosive Milwaukee Bucks, 118-108

Milwaukee hammered the Charlotte Hornets from start to finish as the Bucks held a double-digit lead for most of the game.

The Charlotte Hornets (33-41) were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks (38-36) in a game where the final score doesn’t represent the true dominance that the road team had in this one. Milwaukee exploded for 118 points as they shot an impressive 62.2% from the field. While the scoring was there from Kemba Walker, Frank Kaminsky and Jeremy Lamb, Charlotte’s defense was nowhere to be found.

Johnny O’Bryant was the only Hornets’ player to miss this one because of an injury as his ankle sprain has kept him out for nearly three weeks now. Ramon Sessions was a healthy scratch for the third straight game. Miles Plumlee has still not played despite being healthy and active.

Game Story and Turning Point

Charlotte never led in this game. That should tell you all you need to know about how this one went. Not only did Milwaukee control the entire game but they did so in blowout fashion. The Bucks opened up a 22-point lead by halftime and the start of the second half didn’t get much better for the Hornets as that lead expanded to as many as 26. Luckily, the home team did make this one close as they fought back near the end of the fourth quarter.

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Luckily, the home team did make this one close as they fought back near the end of the fourth quarter. They even managed to cut the Bucks’ lead to single digits with under a minute left in the final period but by that time, it was too late and Charlotte’s comeback effort came up short.

Who Stepped Up

Kemba Walker led the way for Charlotte as he finished with 26 points and five assists. Frank Kaminsky and Jeremy Lamb led the second unit as they scored 20 and 16 respectively off of the bench. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the only other Hornets’ player in double figures as he ended the night with 12 points and six rebounds.

When the team needed players to step up, key guys didn’t do enough while on the court. Nicolas Batum only scored five points while Marvin Williams and Cody Zeller only combined for 14 points and eight boards. Also of note, Briante Weber was replaced in the fourth quarter by Brian Roberts who helped lead somewhat of a comeback. It will be interesting to see how the backup point guard situation plays out going forward.

The Bucks were led by Tony Snell who dropped in a career-high 26 points in this one. Giannis Antetokounmpo almost had himself a double-double with 20 points and eight rebounds. Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon each scored 14 points while Greg Monroe led Milwaukee’s bench with 13.

Play of the Game:

Tweet of the Game:

"Quick Stings"

• Milwaukee out-rebounded Charlotte 42-31.
• The Hornets only managed three points off of the Bucks’ 14 turnovers.
• Cody tied Big Al for the ninth-most blocks in franchise history with 204.
• Spencer Hawes scored seven points in his first game back in the Queen City.
• Milwaukee doubled Charlotte’s amount of made three-pointers in this one. (14-7)

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 0-2 on the season against the Bucks. The two sides will meet once more this year in Milwaukee for the second to last game of the regular season. Charlotte will look to avoid being swept.

Next: Damien Wilkins is Still Getting Buckets at 37

In their next outing, the Charlotte Hornets will hit the road and travel north of the border to take on the Toronto Raptors. It will be the fourth and final matchup between them this season as Steve Clifford’s side will look to even up the series after the Raps took two of the first three. Even though Charlotte’s playoff hopes remain bleak, the team will likely continue to fight.