Charlotte Hornets: Four Quick Game Observations

The Charlotte Hornets came home Friday night and dominated the Chicago Bulls in the Spectrum Center.

On a cool October night, the Charlotte Hornets blew the top off of The Spectrum Center, defeating the Chicago Bulls 135-106 in a spectacular game that featured eight players reaching double-digit points, another star takeover, the young gunners getting their numbers called, and an old vet coming in clutch.

The Captain’s New Norm

SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 2: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on January 2, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kemba Walker continued his upward trend for the Hornets scoring 30 points on 11-18 (61%) from the floor and 5-10 (50%) from behind the arc. After a slow start, Walker began to warm up in the second quarter, finishing the first half with 20 points.

Walker continued his effective play well into the third with the captain gaining his remaining ten before sitting the entirety of the fourth quarter. It was yet another good showing for the two-time All-Star who had his sixth game of twenty-three or more points and third game of thirty or more points this season, bringing his average to 31 PPG; which is good enough for fifth in the entire NBA.

Contributions Galore

An astonishing eight players finished the night with double-digit figures, an unheard-of number for the Charlotte-based teams. Led by Walker’s 30-point outburst, Tony Parker poured in eighteen points, Miles Bridges and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist each chipped in fifteen, Cody Zeller added fourteen, and Nicolas Batum, Malik Monk, and Jeremy Lamb all added ten each to total eight players with at least ten points in the game. Points seemingly came from everywhere and everyone tonight, and the Hornets benefitted heavy from the spread offense.

Young Guns Getting Buckets

Charlotte Hornets /

Charlotte Hornets

Recent first-round selection Miles Bridges also showed out throughout the entirety of his time on the court. After being singled out by Head Coach James Borrego after the last game against the Bulls, Bridges returned to Spectrum Center with physicality.

Displaying a solid two-way game, Bridges continued his stellar play while continuing to put the NBA and its fans on notice with solid defense and a multi-talented offensive skillset. The young Hornet seemingly couldn’t make any mistake as he defended the ball well, shot the ball well, showed his athleticism on a few monster dunks, and distributed the ball fairly well for a player in his sixth professional game.

Sir Clutch

Seventeen-year vet Tony Parker had a game few could have at the age of 36. Early in the second half, Hornets were playing from behind, when Parker came alive. Erupting for eighteen total points and leading the initial charge that propelled the Hornets to an early lead that they would never relinquish.

The attacking mentality and craftiness of Parker was evident the entirety of the night, though there was an injury scare during halftime. Parker returned and continued during the third and fourth quarter to provide the same mentality and veteran leadership. Evidence that the union between Parker and Hornets is proving fruitful.

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