Charlotte Hornets Player Grades: Knicks stun CHA, win in OT
The Charlotte Hornets suffered a stomach-turning loss on Friday night thanks to a huge fourth quarter/overtime from the New York Knicks.
Yikes. The Charlotte Hornets were on the path to winning their fourth straight game, but after being outscored 48-31 in the fourth quarter and overtime period, the team blew it and fell back to the .500 mark with a loss to the New York Knicks.
This is a big loss, and for multiple reasons. First of all, each and every single game counts during the regular season. It appeared that Charlotte was going to win this, but the Knicks came into the fourth quarter with a lot of energy, and made it a game. This could be a loss that haunts the Hornets by the time the season is over.
Secondly, the Hornets schedule over the next few games is decent, so now is the time to rack up some wins. It didn’t happen tonight, but they still have a chance to make some noise over the next few games, including in tomorrow’s game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The unlikely duo of Emmanuel Mudiay and Luke Kornet killed the Hornets tonight. Mudiay had a career-high 34 points and hit some really big shots for the Knicks tonight. Kornet, who is in his second season, had 13 points and six rebounds, easily his best game of the year.
Despite the ugly loss, the Hornets did have some positives performances tonight, including from the birthday boy Nicolas Batum. Bismack Biyombo was inactive tonight, while Willy Hernangomez, Dwayne Bacon and Devonte’ Graham all picked up DNP-CD’s.
Let’s hand out these grades.
B+. Nicolas Batum had arguably his best game of the season on his 30th birthday, going off for 21 points, six rebounds, seven assists and five three-pointers. He took good shots, and had the touch tonight from downtown. I’d love to see him play like this more often, because I know that he is certainly capable.. SF/SG. Charlotte Hornets. NICOLAS BATUM
C+. The rookie <a rel=. SF/PF. Charlotte Hornets. MILES BRIDGES
C+. <a rel=. C/PF. Charlotte Hornets. FRANK KAMINSKY
Charlotte Hornets. MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST. C. Not the best game tonight for MKG, who made his return from a one-game absence. He finished with only two points in 15 minutes, but he shot 1-6 from the field. His defense is superb, but tonight just wasn’t his night.. SF/PF
B-. Coming off an exciting game-winner against Detroit, Lamb ended up with 21 points tonight, but didn’t shoot the ball very well. He shot 1-8 from three-point range, and was misses some looks late in the game. He did have nine rebounds and five assists, too.. SG/SF. Charlotte Hornets. JEREMY LAMB
C+. This kid can really score the ball, and he did just that tonight. Monk only played 11 minutes, but had nine points off the bench, including a dunk followed up with a stare down of <a rel=. SG/PG. Charlotte Hornets. MALIK MONK
C-. After scoring 16 points against New York earlier this season, Parker finished with just two points tonight. He shot 1-5 from the field, and was a -10 on the court. Charlotte really could have used a big game tonight from Tony.. PG. Charlotte Hornets. TONY PARKER
B-. It’s weird to say, considering how good he has been in the clutch in the past, but <a rel=. PG. Charlotte Hornets. KEMBA WALKER
B. Marvelous Marvin had a solid night for the Hornets. He scored 20 points on an efficient 7-12 from the field. His floor spacing was key, as he knocked down 4-7 from downtown. He’s playing very good basketball at the moment.. PF. Charlotte Hornets. MARVIN WILLIAMS
Next. Can Lamb be the secondary closer the Hornets need?. dark
A. <a rel=. C. Charlotte Hornets. CODY ZELLER