Hornets can’t overcome first quarter ice age, lose to Mavericks, 116-100

The Charlotte Hornets only scored ten points in the first quarter to start off what would become a 116-100 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

The Hornets took the court with a vastly different roster than the one they had earlier this week. Marvin Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are no longer with the team and Cody Martin (concussion protocol) and Nicolas Batum (illness) both missed the game with their respective ailments.

The Hornets struggled out of the gate. Miles Bridges put back his own miss a couple minutes into the game. Those were the only Hornets points in the first eight minutes of the game as they connected on just one of their first 16 shots. Caleb Martin was the first sub off the bench in place of his absent twin brother. Terry Rozier finally lifted the lid with a step-back three. Seth Curry caught fire off the bench for the Mavericks. He outscored the Hornets 12 to 10 in the first quarter while the Mavericks built a 19 point lead. Bridges scored seven of the Hornets 10, including this nasty dunk.

The Hornets offense woke up in the second quarter thanks in large part to Malik Monk.

He scored nine points in the first four minutes of the second quarter, but the Hornets couldn’t get stops on the defensive end. Seth Curry continued showing out in front of his hometown crowd and finished the half with 18 points on 7-of-7 shooting. Monk finished the half with 14 points, including this candidate for dunk of the season:

The third quarter started much like the first, but the Hornets were able to get on track a little quicker this time around. But before they could make a run, Seth Curry checked back in and continued his perfect shooting. He made his first ten shots and scored 26 points before missing a buzzer beater to end the third quarter. The Mavericks built on their lead and took a 94-65 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Hornets, and Devonte’ Graham in particular, came alive in the fourth quarter with the game out of reach. Graham hit three straight 3-pointers then hit an impossible jumper while getting fouled to give him a personal 12-2 run over the Mavs. Jalen McDaniels got himself a bucket with a nice fadeaway while getting fouled. He finished with five points.

Devonte’ Graham finished with 26 points and 10 assists. Miles Bridges hit 20 points for the fourth time in five games. Malik Monk scored 19 points off the bench.

The Hornets will head to Detroit for a Monday night game against the Pistons before wrapping up their pre-All Star break schedule in Minnesota.