LaMelo Shines, but Charlotte Struggles in 114-89 Defeat
The Charlotte Hornets had difficulty matching the Orlando Magic, losing 114-89 in their first NBA Cup game. LaMelo Ball topped Charlotte’s scoring with an impressive 35 points, contributing six rebounds and seven assists. His scoring run positioned him ninth on the Hornets’ historical assists rankings. In spite of his attempts, turnovers and insufficient secondary scoring hindered Charlotte, giving the Magic a straightforward win.
Orlando Seizes Control in Second Quarter
At the start of the second quarter, the Charlotte Hornets were behind by a narrow 33-32 score in NBA Cup. Nonetheless, 10 turnovers committed by Charlotte in the quarter enabled Orlando to unleash a punishing 19-3 run, leaving the Hornets trailing 58-47 at halftime. Franz Wagner topped the Magic with a season-best 32 points, and his brother, Moritz, added 18 coming off the bench. Jalen Suggs contributed 17 points, making his initial seven attempts and keeping the Magic in the lead.
Turnovers and Secondary Scoring Hinder Hornets
With essential players Miles Bridges and Tre Mann out, Charlotte required additional support from their rotation. Newcomer Brandon Miller had a tough time, making just 3-of-18 shots for a total of eight points. Charlotte similarly logged a season-high of 22 turnovers, which hindered their offensive rhythm and enabled Orlando to dominate the game.
Diabaté Impresses Off the Bench
Although the team lost, Moussa Diabaté maintained his solid performance, achieving his first NBA double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Diabaté made history as the first Charlotte Hornets player to achieve 40 rebounds in three consecutive games as a substitute, contributing vigor on both sides in NBA Cup.
Coach’s Take and What’s Next
Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee recognized the turnovers, stressing that gaining insight from these errors will aid the team in their development. Charlotte is eagerly anticipating a three-day pause before facing the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday afternoon.
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