The Charlotte Hornets recovered from a 16-point deficit in the first half to beat the New York Knicks 96-104. The team led by James Borrego has two consecutive wins and is 7-7 in the league table.
For their part, the Knicks continue with their problems at the back of the court, and again they were widely overcome after the break with a 21-34 set against. New Yorkers are no longer that defensive anchor of last year and have lost five of the last seven games they have played.
In those of North Carolina, with The Goat As a luxury spectator on his bench, Miles Bridges led the local offense with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, including 8/17 shooting from the field. For his part, LaMelo Ball was at the gates of the triple-double with 12 points, 17 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 1 block.
«Miles is a very good player, as he can rebound, shoot, reach the rival rim… And when he reaches the rim, as you have seen, it is a problem. It is difficult to stop him there. And that’s the mindset I want you to have. Let him get to the rim and open the court for us, “explained James Borrego.
Kemba’s return
Kemba Walker returned to Charlotte in a deep gambling depression. The point guard was averaging 22.8% in field goals and 10.5% in triples in his last four games, but something happened last night that his game clicked and he came back to shine in the first quarter with 17 points and 4-for-5 on 3s to lead the Knicks 34-18.
Faced with such a performance Borrego had to change the marks on Walker, and his great contribution was gradually diluted with the passing of the minutes. We adjusted it. We put our tall men there and we wouldn’t let him pass. We put size ahead of him and that helped us. We just wanted to remove the pick and roll what they were doing, ”he explained.
Walker registered his best game of the course in attack with 26 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, although with his presence on the court the Knicks presented a -23. A devastating statistic for all its holders, since they all presented a negative balance.
«There is no surprise why you win or why you lose. For me it is your defense. Initially our defense and rebounding were good, then the problem became our turnovers, ”Thibodeau admitted.
The Knicks committed up to 19 unforced errors that allowed Charlotte to score as many as 17 points.
Ball record
LaMelo Ball didn’t have his best night on pitch (0/5 on 3s), but he was still incisive in other facets of his game, being a huge factor for the Hornets. Like for example his task on the rebound, with 17 to obtain a new career personal record (16 of them were defensive).
“That task was huge for us. When he bounces like that he can start our quick game under the boards and create our transition game, ”Borrego said.
(Cover photo: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images)
