CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte sports fans could get used to this.
Grant Williams and Seth Curry had breakout performances with their hometown team as the Charlotte Hornets slipped past the Indiana Pacers and the NBA's top offense for a second win in a row.
It's just the second time this season that the Hornets have pulled off back-to-back wins. The game was a true back-and-forth affair with the largest lead being just the nine-point advantage the Hornets held at the final buzzer with their 111-102 win.
"I've always dreamed of playing here and putting this jersey on," Curry said after the win. "I'm living in the moment right now."
Charlotte broke an 88-88 tie with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and never looked back. The Hornets distanced themselves with some timely scoring by Williams, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller. Bridges had seven points in the final five minutes.
Williams led the Hornets with 21 points. Bridges had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Seven Charlotte players hit double digits on the night, including Curry with 18 points in his second game with the Hornets.
"Everybody here is playing the right way of basketball," Williams said. "Everybody is trying to get involved. That's what we have to do."
Myles Turner led Indiana with a game-high 22 points.
The Hornets kept even with the Pacers for most of the game. Charlotte led by one point after the first quarter, then they trailed by one point at halftime. The Hornets then led again by one point after the third quarter before edging their way to a win in the fourth quarter.
Both teams shot well but the Hornets held a slight advantage which proved the difference.
In the two games that their new trade deadline acquisitions have been active, the Hornets have looked like a whole new team. The points are accumulating on the scoreboard as the chemistry grows between the team in such a short time frame. While Charlotte's playoff hopes for this season are all but over, fans can be hopeful for better times if this trend continues.
The Hornets will look for their first three-game winning streak of the season against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.