The San Antonio Spurs got here up brief to the blossoming Hornets within the matinee sport in Charlotte. It was all gasoline and no brakes early because the Spurs countered the rebounding, tempo and LaMelo Ball’s flurry with six 3-pointers, eight quick break factors plus the bench added a cushion. In addition they received some assist from Charlotte’s six turnovers, ending the primary quarter forward by 4 factors.
The three-point taking pictures got here to a crashing halt, lacking all seven makes an attempt, whereas the hosts ran a number of movement. Collin Sexton was their subsequent man to erupt, scoring 10 factors within the second quarter, after which Brandon Miller become a supernova, pouring in 16, pushing them to a 14-point lead after it was tied with three minutes left within the half.
The Spurs subsequently got here out of intermission with little to supply in opposition to Charlotte’s paint strain. In addition they couldn’t lower the deficit nearer than 9 factors going into the fourth quarter as a result of their turnovers become factors for the opposite facet. The poor 3-point protection that adopted, together with getting beat on second makes an attempt, had them wanting in unhealthy form on the ropes till Stephon Fort’s late scoring impressed the group, they usually lower the deficit to 2, forcing the Hornets to name timeout with 5 minutes left.
They adopted up getting beat to the within thrice, missed 4 vital photographs and dedicated the cardinal sin of fouling Miles Bridges on a 3-point try. It was curtains after that.
