There’s nothing that says complete and utter disaster like letting a team make 20 three-pointers, 20 free throws, and shoot 62.7% on two-point field goals.
That’s how leaky the Charlotte Hornets’ defense was in its 144-117 loss to the Miami Heat.
The Heat’s bench set the tone in the first half, scoring 37 of Miami’s 76 first-half points, including 20 from Jaime Jaquez Jr. Miami’s bench would finish with 59 points, while the Hornets’ bench scored 33.
Kon Knueppel Three-Pointers
In the third quarter Knueppel-Ball combination flashed what most Hornets’ fans hope to see out of the two. Ball gaining real estate and bringing a second defender and then hitting Knueppel for an open three.
Knueppel went 3-6 from three in the quarter with two coming from the corner.
Knueppel looked smooth and relaxed on a night where he 5-11 from the three-point line but as for now, he needs help getting good looks from downtown. That means Ball and, at time Collin Sexton, need to be able to find him off dribble penetration.
Overall, three out of Knueppel’s five made threes came from Ball.
Orlando Preview:
The Magic are on the backend of a back-to-back. Last night, Orlando 135-116 loss in Detroit.
Paolo Banchero had 24 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Franz Wagner chipped in with 22 points.
Orlando was outscored in the paint, 64-48.
Can the Hornets exploit Detroit in the paint like the Pistons? Probably not. The Hornets are so perimeter-centric that they will need to find another to generate the paint points.
It starts with hitting enough three-pointers to open up driving lanes for the likes of LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton.
On the defensive end, can the Hornets handle Banchero and Wagner? The Heat loss suggests that there could be a struggle if they aren’t motivated on that end. The Magic are good at imposing their pace against teams that aren’t effective on the defensive end.
None of the Magic starters played over 34 minutes (Banchero) last night, so despite this being the second night of a back-to-back, Orlando should be fine.
