Recap: Hornets Can’t Slow Down Pacers Offense lose, 116-106

Charlotte got off to a hot start jumping out to a 3-10 lead in the 1^st quarter, making 60% of their shots before the substitutions came in. The 2^nd half of the 1^st quarter was all Indiana as they went on a 33-9 run to close out the 1^st doing whatever they wanted. From the post-game to the perimeter, the Pacers put together a dominant run that put the Hornets in a 17-point deficit going into the 2^nd quarter.

The Hornets woke up in the 2^nd quarter putting together their own 36-23 run to get back into the game. Cody Zeller put together his best quarter of basketball this season on both ends really making Sabonis work for everything he walked away from the 1^st half with 6 point and 10 rebounds. The Hornets closed the gap on deficit going into the halftime only down four points.

Charlotte fought hard in the 3^rd quarter. But seemed gassed settling for some short three-pointers that and didn’t really attack the rim like they should have to start. Charlotte kept the game relatively close by not allowing the lead to balloon no more than 7 points. Highlight of the quarter was a dart of a buzzer beater by LaMelo Ball to close the quarter which would tie the quarter’s scoring margin 25-25 going into the 4^th quarter.

Indiana really closed this game out in the 4^th quarter as every-time Charlotte would get close the Pacers would go on a run. Domantas Sabonis ended the game with a triple-double as he showed why he was he’s an all-star caliber player doing everything almost at will, as the Hornets defense started to show fatigue the Pacers took advantage. Malcom Brogdon pitched in 25 points as he completely dismantled the Hornets in the pick-and-roll situations.

The surprise of the night was Doug McDermott off the bench for the Indiana Pacers who had 28 points in 28 minutes tonight leading all scorers. And to be frank, The Hornets should be ashamed It’s one thing for an all-star level player to do damage but it’s inexcusable for Doug McDermott to come into your building and have his way with the defense. The Hornets have to figure out a way to fix the mishaps and breakdowns they are having late in games.

LaMelo Ball had a solid game tonight with 8-points 4-rebounds and 5-assist off the bench he was one of the bright spots from this game and so was Miles Bridges who came in and gave a good effort on defense and even knocked down three 3-pointers. That duo continues to give the Hornets life when the team starts to lag offensively and defensively.

Terry Rozier led all scorers for the Hornets with 20 points and added yet another good game to an already impressive season in his 2^nd season in Charlotte. PJ Washington was really good in this game, but it felt like he left a lot more out on the court only converting one of his six 3-point attempts, still 18-points is a strong outing for him.

Gordon Hayward felt like a non-factor in this game which is not something we are accustomed to from him this season, Borrego has to make it a priority of keeping Hayward involved in the offense because 14 shot attempts from your best-player isn’t going to cut it.

Bismack Biyombo was a disaster. That’s it.

The Hornets fall to 7-11 on the season but will have another chance to redeem themselves against the Pacers Friday In Charlotte.