The Charlotte Hornets showed promise with a strong start against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, but ultimately couldn’t maintain their momentum, succumbing to a 121-114 road loss.
Encouraging Offense
One of the bright spots for the Hornets was their improved scoring output, as they managed to break the 100-point mark after failing to do so in their previous four games. Led by Miles Bridges’ team-high 27 points and strong contributions from Nick Richards and the bench, Charlotte’s offence showed signs of life.
Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers pic.twitter.com/BYTm9VxzmO
— Isaac Picks (@IsaacPicks) March 1, 2024
Defensive Struggles and Rebounding Woes
Despite their offensive resurgence, the Hornets struggled defensively, particularly on the glass. 76ers dominated the rebounding battle, outrebounding Hornets 48-32 and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities with 28 second-chance points off 15 offensive boards.
Late-game Woes
Charlotte managed to stay within striking distance throughout the game, but costly mistakes down the stretch, including missed defensive rebounds and allowing back-breaking second-chance points, proved to be their undoing. Despite making a late push to trim the deficit to two points, they couldn’t muster enough to overcome the 76ers’ late surge.
Injury Concerns
In addition to the loss, the Hornets also suffered setbacks with ankle injuries to both Seth Curry and Cody Martin, further complicating their efforts on the court.
Looking Ahead
Head Coach Steve Clifford praised his team’s effort but emphasized the need to improve rebounding and finish possessions more effectively. The Hornets will look to bounce back as they conclude their road trip against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 3.
🏀 For anyone who might be interested, and I know there’s a couple who are. The Philadelphia 76ers were on the basketball court tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. And they defeated the Hornets with the final score:
76ers: 121
Hornets: 114 🏀 pic.twitter.com/dZaWaP8qB9— Felicia Harrold (@FeliciaHarrold) March 2, 2024
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