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Hornets defeat Bucks, 107-96, behind strong performances from Hibbert, Kidd-Gilchrist, and Williams

The Hornets were able to win their sixth straight in Milwaukee tonight in a 107-96 season-opening victory. Roy Hibbert’s first game with the Hornets provided a spark on both sides of the floor, something Charlotte needs this season that they did not have last year.

By Trent Brinkley
NBA: Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee, WI- - - The Charlotte Hornets won their opening regular season game with a 107-96 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday evening; giving the Hornets their sixth straight win over the Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Hornets’ last loss at BMO Harris Bradley Center came on December 7, 2012.

The Hornets jumped out to a 11-4 lead before Bucks’ head coach Jason Kidd called his first timeout of the game. Charlotte would continue to push the tempo throughout the first half, as they would outscore Milwaukee 55-37 in remaining 15:18 in the first half.

At the half, four Charlotte players were in double-digit points (Walker-12, Kidd-Gilchrist-11, Zeller-11, and Williams-10).

The Hornets continued that tempo into the second half as they pushed their lead to the largest of the night at 24 following a Marvin Williams’s jumper at 6:28 in the 3rd Quarter.

Despite the lead being shorten to its lowest at eight points in the second half, the Hornets would hold on for the win.

Leading the way offensively came from double-double performances from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s 23 points and 14 rebounds and Marvin Williams’s 13 points and 10 rebounds. Also playing an important offensive role were Kemba Walker, who contributed 17 points, and Cody Zeller’s 15 points.

Defensively, Roy Hibbert made an impressive first-game debut, contributing 15 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 blocks, for a +12 Rating in his 32 minutes played. Kidd-Gilchrist also contributed a strong performance on the defensive end with 10 defensive rebounds and 1 block tonight.

The three biggest differences in tonight’s win for the Hornets were:

  1. The Hornets’ defense held Bucks to only making 18.8-percent of their 3-pointers (3-16)
  2. The Hornets had two players record a double-double performance
  3. The Hornets only had two starters record 3 or more fouls; Bucks had 3 (Antetokounmpo had 5, Parker and Dellavedova each with 3)

NEXT UP

Charlotte will return to the floor on Friday, October 28, on the road versus the Miami Heat; tip-off is scheduled for 8pm (Eastern) from AmericanAirlines Arena.

Polls of the Night from @At_the_Hive Twitter

Outlook:

What were your biggest takeaways from tonight’s 106-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks? Comment below your thoughts, and be sure to comment as well your player of the game nominee.

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