Winners of the Lakers at home on Friday night, the Hornets failed to achieve the “California double” against the valiant Clippers on Sunday, led by the Jackson-Kennard-Boston Jr-Morris quartet.
After a balanced first quarter in which each team had its highlight (25-24), the Clippers took control thanks to the mastery of Serge Ibaka near the circle, the outside address of Reggie Jackson and the “hangtime by Brandon Boston Jr, author of a big dunk from the baseline then a 3-pointer to bring the score to 42-33.
PJ Washington’s heatstroke and the Rozier-Bridges duo kept the hosts in the game, although LA held on until the break, relying on Marcus Morris three times to come back in the locker room at +4 (47-51).
LaMelo Ball tried to reverse the odds in the third quarter. The leader took the match on his own, showing himself in the pass or the finish, possession after possession, to restore the advantage to his team in the middle of the period (67-66). But the Clippers did not shake.
The missiles of Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard accompanied by the dunk of Brandon Boston and the ultimate layup of Amir Coffey even placed the Californians in a preferential position 12 minutes from time (76-84). Better, the Clippers began the last act with a 9-2 concluded by a new furious dunk from Brandon Boston Jr. (78-93).
This time, the hasty return of LaMelo Ball, accompanied by his few strokes, did not change anything. Brandon Boston Jr then had fun several times in transition to seal the big success of his team (90-115).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Clippers, pet peeve of the Hornets. Always so rigorous in this complicated context for them this season, the Clippers continued their good series against Charlotte since they are now eight wins in a row. The Hornets have not won against the second Los Angeles franchise since November 19, 2017, when Nicolas Batum was still playing for Charlotte!
– The Hornets trapped. Out of address (8/34 at 3-points) like the 0/6 behind the arc of Miles Bridges, the Hornets were never able to generate an alternation and were thus never able to enter their game. Lacking rhythm, they even found themselves caught in their own trap in the last act when the Clippers were able to establish their success with great counter-attack shots. A game to forget.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Reggie Jackson. Important baskets, in particular to revive the Clippers at the end of the third quarter, and a complete performance on arrival since he finished best (co) scorer of his team with 19 units (at 8/13 shooting, 3/ 4 from 3-pointers) and 5 assists in 27 minutes.
✅ Brandon Boston Jr.. The rookie was the perfect “energizer” off the bench and would almost end up in the X factor of this match. Mainly on the counter-attack, the bouncing back had fun without neglecting the show or the efficiency (19 points at 8/14 in 22 minutes).
⛔ Terry Rosier. We saw Miles Bridges, we saw LaMelo Ball try to reverse the trend. Terry Rozier was too discreet. The Hornets necessarily expect more from him than his 10 points at 4/14 shooting and his 3 assists in 40 minutes.
THE FOLLOWING
Charlotte (28-23): the Hornets will not play again until Wednesday, away to Boston
LA Clippers (26-26): Californians continue this Monday in Indiana
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