Hornets Recap: Swarm Cut Down The Nets In Brooklyn

The Charlotte Hornets faced their toughest challenge of the season on Sunday, March 27. With the Brooklyn Nets at full strength for the first time in their home venue, the Swarm were the heavy underdogs in a game that was almost a must-win. With Brooklyn positioned one game ahead of Charlotte for the eighth seed in the East, this game meant everything to the Hornets.

The first two quarters were back-and-forth. The Nets won the first frame, and the Hornets came back and stole the second frame. Trailing 60-56 at halftime, the Swarm would need a micro-comeback, and they delivered big time. Scoring 37 points in the third quarter alone, Charlotte dragged a four-point lead into the final quarter of action. They outscored the Nets in the fourth quarter and held onto a 119-110 victory in New York.

The second half made all the difference in this one. Outscoring the Nets 63-50 over the final two quarters, the Hornets never let their foot off the gas pedal. LaMelo Ball had one of his best games of the season in a game that felt like a playoff battle in a hostile atmosphere. Scoring a game-high 33 points, LaMelo finished with seven rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and seven triples. Coupled with his one turnover, the second-year guard took control of the game.

Miles Bridges had an ineffective 24 points on 24 shots, but he finished with a +14 plus/minus rating. P.J. Washington had a huge coming out party. Double-doubling in his 30 minutes, Washington scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished five assists while shooting 8-12 from the field.

In his home debut, Kyrie Irving could not get anything to fall. The Swarm’s defense held him to 6-22 shooting for 16 points. Kevin Durant did his thing with 27 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, but Charlotte made sure to shut everyone else down and secure the clutch victory.

This win gives the Hornets seven victories in their last eight games, and more importantly, it moved them into the eighth seed in the East. While they are not likely to catch the seventh seed, the eight would be the ideal spot for the Hornets to close the season.