Charlotte Hornets outlast the Sacramento Kings, 112-107
The Charlotte Hornets picked up their eighth win in their last 13 games as they beat the Sacramento Kings at home.
The Charlotte Hornets (19-26) were able to defeat the Sacramento Kings (13-33) as they bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to the Miami Heat in their last game. Charlotte was able to hold off Sacramento as they had six players score in double-figures. Kemba Walker put up 26 points, nine assists and six rebounds amid trade rumors.
Cody Zeller (knee) missed his 22nd consecutive game but is set to return to practice soon. The Hornets were also without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who missed the game with a right axillary abscess. Treveon Graham started in his place and Malik Monk also got some rotation minutes in the first half.
Game Story
The turning point came at the end of the first half when Charlotte closed out the second quarter on an 11-2 run. They used that run to help push their lead to as much as 20 points in the third quarter.. The Hornets won the game because of their stellar three-point shooting. They made a season-high 16 three’s with 15 of them coming in the first three-quarters of the game. The Queen City team also set a season-high with 40 three-point attempts.
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Player of the Game
Kemba Walker scored a game-high 26 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds. Although he only shot 6-20 from the field and committed a game-high six turnovers, the all-star point guard still managed to make five three’s, nine of his 10 free throws and finish with a +7 +/-. He also played a game-high 39 minutes.
Jeremy Lamb led the second unit as he added 18 points while Dwight Howard put up yet another-double-double with 14 points and 16 boards. D12 also recorded six blocks. Marvin Williams and Nicolas Batum each scored 14 points. Frank Kaminsky chipped in with 10 points off of the bench.
The Kings were led by two reserve players in Skal Labissiere who scored 23 points and Buddy Hield who had 18 points. Rookie De’Aaron Fox scored 16 points and dished out seven assists while Willie Cauley-Stein grabbed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kosta Koufus each had 10 points in this one.
Highlight of the Night:
Tweet of the Game:
Dwight Howard has grabbed 15 rebounds in 5 straight games, tying the 2nd longest streak of his career.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 23, 2018
He did so in 7 straight games in March 2011.
"Quick Stings"
- Dwight tied a season-high with six blocks.
- Howard recorded his 27th double-double of the season.
- D12 also picked up his ninth technical foul of the season. (Will be suspended one game if he gets to 16)
- Lamb passed Matt Carroll for the third-most double-digit scoring games off of the bench in team history. (79)
- Treveon Graham got his first start of the year.
With the win, Charlotte improves to 2-0 against Sacramento as they swept the season series. The Hornets have now won three straight games versus the Kings dating back to last season. Steve Clifford’s side averaged 121.5 points when taking on Dave Joerger’s team.
Next: How will Hornets' players respond to trade rumors?
In their next outing, the Hornets will host the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth game of their current five-game homestand on Wednesday, January 24th. It will be their first meeting of the season after New Orleans swept the season series last year. Charlotte will look to get a step closer to .500 with yet another home victory next time out.