Recap report: Charlotte Hornets and emerging patterns
By W.B. Whitted
Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls
February 2, 2023
The Charlotte Hornets traveled to Chicago to face the Bulls after they had dropped a hard-fought game in Milwaukee a couple of days before. The Bulls were coming off their own disappointing loss at home to the suddenly surging LA Clippers.
The Bulls took the lead early, but the first quarter was a back-and-forth affair with several ties and lead changes. Indeed, the halftime score was 53-49. It was truly anyone’s game. Ayo Donsumu had a big half, the shooting guard averaging around 10 points a game this season went for 14 on his way to a team-high 22 points.
In the third quarter, the game got away from the Hornets, with the Bull’s lead ballooning to 17 at one point in the quarter. The Hornets struggled to score, while the Bulls continued to pile up points. But, as has become their custom, the Hornets battled back and got the lead down to nine when LaMelo Ball got the steal and looked to be on his way to a fastbreak opportunity with a minute and change left.
The mad scramble was halted when Ball thought he was fouled and received TWO technical fouls for complaining. Ball received the first ejection of his professional career. On the replay, it appeared he had a legitimate beef with the non-call, but the game was put away and the Hornets had added another loss.