We could believe that the Suns were going to capitalize on their victory the day before in Philadelphia to go on to Charlotte against a team of Hornets in full discomfiture (ten defeats in a row and even eighteen in their last nineteen matches).
Except that the teammates of LaMelo Ball (32 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals), Miles Bridges (21 points, 7 rebounds) and Nick Richards (15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks) did what was necessary to dismiss Phoenix (115-104), although led by 65 points. Devin Booker (39) and Kevin Durant (26).
It is in the second quarter that things change, with the Suns who had started their match well but who took a violent blow (37-17) because of their errors in specific sectors such as defense, with stupid fouls, the rebound, or an attack without ideas as soon as Devin Booker is no longer on the field. Result, the Hornets signed a 12-0 to make the difference, and they were already 15 out of 17 on free throws at halftime to lead by 13 points (59-46).
Several times, the Suns will return to -5, but a final boost from the Hornets, via a 7-0, will allow them to have a quiet end to the evening, and finally to win a match.
TO REMEMBER
– End of series for Charlotte. Not clear of injuries since the end of November, the Hornets won their second match in the space of a month and a half. A nice breath of fresh air and a nice boost to morale when we know that Charles Lee's men had ten defeats in a row. The tipping point in any case came in the second quarter, won largely (37-17) with a horrible attack from the Suns and LaMelo Ball and his team taking off, regardless of the area.
– Phoenix is (already) falling back into his faults. Like this poster of Miles Bridges on Kevin Durant, the Suns were physically stepped on by the Hornets, and in particular Nick Richards under the panels. Mike Budenholzer's brand new five suffers its first defeat, showing itself less and less efficient and energetic as the minutes go by, only Kevin Durant and especially Devin Booker trying to plug the gaps (defensive rebounding, to defend on transition). Undoubtedly the “back-to-back” effect.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
