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Charlotte Hornets: Best wins and worst losses of 2020-21 season

By Jason Huber

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 27: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball against Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on December 27, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 27: Terry Rozier #3 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball against Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on December 27, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Malik Monk #1 celebrates with LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after Monk made a basket with one second left to tie their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 28, 2021, in Sacramento, California. Monk was fouled on the play and made the free throw for the winning point. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 28: Malik Monk #1 celebrates with LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets after Monk made a basket with one second left to tie their game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 28, 2021, in Sacramento, California. Monk was fouled on the play and made the free throw for the winning point. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The three best wins: 

#3: March 3 @ Minnesota Timberwolves 135-102 

The Charlotte Hornets dominated a skidding Minnesota Timberwolves team, pulling out a 33-point victory, which is tied for the 11th largest victory in franchise history.

It was also the final game before the All-Star break, leaving fans with tons of excitement for the second half of the year.

Six players scored in double digits for Charlotte as they shot 52 percent from the field and went on an 18-0 run in the third quarter.

During that quarter, Terry Rozier played out of his mind, hitting five three-pointers, including three in less than two minutes and totaling 18 points in the first seven minutes of the quarter. In total, Rozier finished the game with 31 points.

There was no Devonte’ Graham in this one and the Hornets still managed to put together the largest win of the season. Nights like this show a glimpse of what this team can be.

#2: April 25 vs. Boston Celtics 125-104

Had the Hornets not faltered down the stretch, this win might’ve been the one that they looked back on in the playoffs and thought “We can compete with anyone.”

From start to finish, Charlotte played better than Boston and after the game, head coach James Borrego said the victory “set the standard” for the Hornets.

Graham scored 24 points, Rozier had 21 and Miles Bridges had 20 points. The win came just a few weeks after Charlotte lost by 30 to the same Celtics team.

The Hornets opted to play small ball in this one, starting PJ Washington at center and Bridges at power forward, and it worked. Charlotte had a season-high 39 assists and all five starters were in double-digit scoring while holding Boston to 38.6 percent shooting.

The two teams met three nights later and the Celtics got their revenge with a 120-111 win.

#1: March 1 vs. Sacramento Kings 127-126

The Miracle After Midnight Part 2.

Boy, this game was a thriller.

After trailing a majority of the game, Malik Monk converted a three-point play with 1.4 seconds remaining to help Charlotte eke out the one-point victory in a game that went past midnight.

Hornets TV play-by-play man Eric Collins shouted “Miracle after midnight part two!” when the buzzer went off to end the game. Five years earlier on January 25, Charlotte picked up a thrilling victory over the Sacramento Kings that also went into the next day.

With just 1:13 remaining in the game, Sacramento led 123-115 but the Kings missed five three throws in the final minute of the game, allowing the Hornets to come back.

Washington scored a career-high 42 points, Ball had 24 points and 12 assists, and Monk had 21 points.

The Kings were 13-20 at the time so the quality of the opponent doesn’t make this the best victory of the season, but the manner in which it happened will be remembered for a long time.

Next. Charlotte Hornets: 4 players who likely won’t be back next season. dark

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