CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If certain numbers like eight and 13 are deemed unlucky across cultures, then perhaps the number four isn't a good one for the Queen City's NBA team.
The Charlotte Hornets aimed to break their three-game skid as they prepared to face off against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, but fell by four points to the visiting team. Now, their losing skid grows to four.
The Hornets initially started the scoring early in the 1st quarter with a Terry Rozier layup, quickly answered by a two-pointer from Kevin Durant assisted by Nic Claxton. Durant again found the net for two points, but Charlotte's Kelly Oubre Jr. found it for three with help from Dennis Smith Jr. Edmond Sumner, Cam Thomas, Yuta Watanabe and Joe Harris all got in on the scoring action for the visitors. Meanwhile, the Hornets' James Bouknight, P.J. Washington, Nick Richards, and Jalen McDaniels would find the net too. Still, Brooklyn was up 30-21 after the first quarter of play.
Q2 saw Charlotte do better, adding 23 more points to the board. But they still trailed Brooklyn, who made 22 points before halftime. The Nets were up 52-44 by the time both teams headed back to the locker room.
If the second quarter was a soft boost for Charlotte, then the Hornets really got buzzing in Q3 after the half. A Rozier layup added to the board, and a handful of free throws and jump shots helped Charlotte nudge past Brooklyn. However, it would be just barely; Brooklyn was down by just two points, with 59 on the board to the Hornets' 61.
The final quarter ultimately saw the Nets and Hornets trading blows often. But Brooklyn found the edge by tacking on 29 more points to their tally, while Charlotte could only find the net for 24 more points. In the end, the Nets walked away 98-94, a four-point win.
Charlotte finished 27-25 in Eastern Conference action and 22-19 at home during the 2021-22 season. The Hornets averaged 28.1 assists per game on 42.8 made field goals last season.
On the other side, Brooklyn went 0-4 overall and 31-21 in Eastern Conference action during the 2021-22 season. The Nets averaged 22.3 assists per game on 39.3 made field goals last season.
Saturday's game marks the first time these teams square off this season.
On Friday, Dillon Brooks scored 23 points, matching his career-high with six 3-pointers, and the Memphis Grizzlies ran past Charlotte Hornets 130-99.
Desmond Bane finished with 19 points as eight Grizzlies players reached double figures. Steven Adams had 13 points and 19 rebounds, controlling the paint as Memphis built a big lead in the first half and continued to extend it after halftime.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led Charlotte with 17 points, but was 5 of 12 from the floor — part of the Hornets shooting 38%. James Bouknight scored 14 points, and Bryce McGowens added 12. P.J. Washington had 10 points on 2-of-15 shooting, including 1 for 7 on 3s.
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