This is the highest point total of the season in the NBA and a franchise record! Yet deprived of Gordon Hayward, the Hornets attack was unleashed in Indianapolis with a 158-126 victory. It was on returning from the locker room that James Borrego’s men released the horses with Cody Martin to lead by example with an 8-0, followed by a LaMelo Ball show, en route to a 4th triple-double this season. The Pacers take water everywhere, and while they were only one point behind at the break, the gap reached 20 points after seven minutes.
In the 4th quarter, Kelly Oubre Jr and LaMelo Ball had fun, and a 13-0 made the difference increase to +29. And there are still ten minutes to play… It was only five minutes from the end, the franchise record in his pocket, that James Borrego sent his substitutes to finish this butchery.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The evening of records. Never in its history, Charlotte had scored so many points in a meeting. Until tonight, the records were 143 points (after extra time) and 141 points (without extra time). In the second half, Kelly Oubre Jr. and his teammates scored 87 points, which is also a franchise record. Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 39 points are also a record for a substitute. With a stunning 24 of 45 from 3-point range, they also tied a franchise record.
– Sweep. Beaten in the “play-in” last May, Charlotte got her revenge with a superb “sweep” in the regular season against Indiana: four wins for no defeat. A priori, we will not see the Pacers in the “play-in” this season, while the Hornets are well placed to go directly to the playoffs.
– The Pacers area. Because of the faults and to limit the penetrations of Ball and Terry Rozier, the Pacers released a 2-1-2 zone supposed to lock the heart of the racket. Very poorly executed, it gave many 3-point positions to the Hornets.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kelly Oubre Jr. Double career high for the Hornets’ 6th man with 39 points and 10 3-point shots. This isn’t the first time Charlotte’s joker has caught fire coming off the bench, and his deal with LaMelo Ball is diabolical.
✅ LaMelo Ball. Rather disappointing lately, he obviously appreciated the scenario of the match, and the lack of defense of the Pacers. He was able to run, fix and distribute play.
✅ mason plumlee. Big work in the shadow of the Hornets pivot by his high screens to open the field to LaMelo Ball or by his ability to play in “point forward” in the reversal of the game. His stats are modest but his reading of the game and his sense sacrifice are essential.
⛔ The referees. Sixty fouls whistled in a match played in a good state of mind… The first half was very choppy, and inevitably, the reduced workforce of the Pacers suffered more. A match with 67 free throws is never very pleasant for the public.
THE FOLLOWING
Charlotte (27-22) : return home Friday to receive the Lakers
Indiana (17-32) : Friday trip to OKC
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