Charlotte Hornets: The good and the bad from an overwhelming loss to the Mavericks

The Charlotte Hornets were no match for the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night.

Welcome to the first edition of Buckets and Bricks for Swarm & Sting. After each game, in addition to our game recap, we’ll provide the good (the Buckets) and the bad (the Bricks) of each Charlotte Hornets‘ game, ending with our star player of the game.

The winning streak is no more. The 104-93 final score is misleading; the Hornets were never in this game.

Buckets

• The Hornets came into the game leading the NBA in team assists per game. They finished tonight’s game with 26 assists.
• Despite being overwhelmed defending the paint, the Mavericks had a slight lead over the Hornets in rebounding (54-53).
• Bismack Biyombo: 9 REB in 25 minutes
• Terry Rozier: 18 PTS, 6 REB, 1 STL

Bricks

• The Hornets had no answer for Luka Doncic: 34 PTS, 13 REB, 9 AST, 2 STL, 4 BLK (career-high), 5 3PM
• The starting unit continued to struggle offensively to begin games. The Mavericks jumped out to a 18-10 advantage before LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges came in as first substitutions.
• Mavericks doubled the Hornets up in the first quarter leading 31-16; the Hornets shot 25% from the field (6/24).
• The Hornets struggled with the Mavericks size and length. The Hornets’ defense allowed the Mavericks to penetrate the paint for easy layups and dunks at ease; allowed 18 points in the paint in the first quarter.
• Tied season low for points in the first half: 43
• Devonte’ Graham‘s shooting slump continued: 5/14 FG (35.7%), 2/6 3PT (33.3%)
• Poor shooting night for the Hornets: 38% FG; 26.3% 3PT; 50% FT
• The Hornets matched their lowest scoring total of the season.
• Largest lead: Mavericks 22, Hornets 0; the game was tied once
• Malik Monk managed to get in the game late in the fourth quarter. He missed his only shot in one minute of play.
• Gordon Hayward left the game early in the second half with a left hip strain and did not return. He will travel to Tampa Bay for the next two games against the Toronto Raptors but is listed as day-to-day.

Star of the Game

PJ Washington

Despite the lackluster performance as a team and his continued struggles playing the center position, Washington stayed active throughout the game. He played a strong third quarter, and for a team that struggles to rebound as a team and from its forward and center positions, Washington had a great night on the boards.

Final Stats: 16 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 0 TO

That’s it for this edition of Buckets and Bricks. I look forward to hearing your takes in the comments section, or on Twitter @SwarmnSting or @ShaolinShoGunMA.

GO HORNETS!