Source: David Jensen / Getty
A 56-percent shooting night for the Brooklyn Nets proved to be too much for the Charlotte Hornets, as the Nets defeated the Hornets, 133-121, Monday night in Uptown.
Cam Thomas led the Nets with 33 points, Mikal Bridges had 24, and Dorian Finney-Smith took advantage of a mismatch being guarded by Mark Williams to add 19. Finney-Smith repeatedly drew Williams outside his comfortable guarding position in Brooklyn’s five-out offensive look.
Nets are drawing everything out to the perimeter with their five-out look, which could draw mismatches if they hit shots, which is what they’ve done so far, making 10 of their first 15.
— Will Palaszczuk (@WilliePStyle) October 30, 2023
Brooklyn started out fast, shooting 62% in the opening quarter, outscoring the Hornets 42-23 in the opening period. Charlotte went on runs in both the second and third quarters, but never got the score closer than 7.
Head Coach Steve Clifford said the opening frame created a hill too steep to climb.
“The first quarter, our shot selection hurt our transition defense,” Clifford said.”We took some quick 3s without putting any pressure on the defense, and they got it and were gone. I think it was definitely the defense, but a lot of that I think was our shot selection early on.”
Brooklyn at one point had outscored the Hornets 28-8 in fast-break points, 28-16 for the game.
Charlotte couldn’t overcome a poor night for LaMelo Ball, whose inconsistencies to start the season continued. Ball fouled out in 22 minutes played, managing just 8 points on 4-of-13 shooting, and failing to hit a three-pointer.
Brandon Miller turned out to flourish as the Hornets’ bright spot, setting a new career-high for a third straight game with 22 points in 36 minutes.
Following a 1-2 opening homestand, the Hornets begin their first road trip Wednesday, heading to Houston, Indiana and Dallas in their next three. Coverage of the Hornets’ next contest against the Rockets begins at 6:30 PM with a 7:30 tip time on Sports Radio 92.7 WFNZ.
