Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets top the Kings in Sacramento, 131-111

By Jerry Stephens

The Charlotte Hornets' Dwight Howard (12) works against the Sacramento Kings' Zach Randolph (50) in the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images)
The Charlotte Hornets' Dwight Howard (12) works against the Sacramento Kings' Zach Randolph (50) in the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets scored a season-high 131 points as Nic Batum and Dwight Howard combined for 41 points to lead them past the Sacramento Kings.

The Charlotte Hornets (14-23) were able to defeat the Sacramento Kings (12-25) as they bounced back from a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last time out. Nicolas Batum had one of his best offensive games of the season while his side was firing on all cylinders in this one. The Hornets picked up only their fourth road win of the season.

Cody Zeller sat out for the 14th consecutive game as he continues to rehab a knee injury. Stephen Silas improved to 6-10 as the team’s acting head coach while Steve Clifford remains away to address his health. Both of Charlotte’s two-way players, Marcus Paige and Mangok Mathiang, were with the Greensboro Swarm for this game.

Game Story

The Hornets had firm control of the game for most of the night as they led by 20 points at halftime and even pushed their lead to 25 points at one point in the fourth quarter. Charlotte’s 72 points in the first half were their most points in any half so far this season. The Hornets ability to take care of the ball in this game was a major difference maker as they only committed three turnovers which was a season-low.

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Player of the Game

Nicolas Batum finished with a team-high 21 points to go along with four assists and four rebounds. In 30 minutes, he was a +22 and shot 66.7% (8-12) from the field. The France international also went 3-5 from three and only committed one turnover.

Dwight Howard added 20 points and eight rebounds while Kemba Walker recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists. Johnny O’Bryant and Jeremy Lamb each scored 16 points off of the bench to lead Charlotte’s second unit. Frank Kaminsky (12), Marvin Williams (10) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (10) round out the team’s double-figure scorers.

The Kings were led by Zach Randolph who scored a game-high 24 points and 10 boards. Skal Labissiere also grabbed a double-double with 17 points and 15 rebounds while rookie De’Aaron Fox had 17 points as well. Bogdan Bogdanovic put up 11 points off of the bench for Sacramento.

Highlight of the Night:

Tweet of the Game:

"Quick Stings"

  • JOB scored a career-high 16 points.
  • For only the fifth time in franchise history, the Hornets scored 100+ points through the first three-quarters of a game.
  • Nic Batum scored 20+ points for the second time this season
  • Kemba recorded his this double-double of the year.
  • Charlotte got their hands in the passing lanes and recorded seven steals.

With the win, Charlotte improves to 1-0 against Sacramento on the season. The Hornets have now won three straight games versus the Kings in Sacramento. The two sides will next meet in Charlotte on January 22nd.

Next: Kyrie praised MKG's offensive evolution

In their next game, the Hornets will travel to LA to take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth and final game of their current road trip. It will be their second and final meeting with the purple and gold team this year. Charlotte will look to end their road trip on a high note.

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