CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball’s 32 points and 10 rebounds, alongside Miles Bridges’ 21 points, propelled the Charlotte Hornets to a decisive 115-104 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, ending a 10-game losing streak.
Nick Richards contributed significantly off the bench, tallying 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets (8-27). On the opposing side, Devin Booker led the Suns (16-19) with 39 points and 10 assists, while Kevin Durant chipped in 26 points. However, the Suns struggled, losing five of their last six games.
Charlotte established a commanding 13-point lead at halftime, dominating the second quarter by outscoring Phoenix 37-17. Ball, who was scoreless in the opening quarter, ignited in the second period with 10 points. He continued his offensive prowess in the second half, racking up 29 points on 8-of-15 shooting, which included four 3-pointers.
The Hornets also outrebounded the Suns by a significant margin, finishing with a 59-42 advantage on the glass.
In terms of takeaways, Phoenix showcased early promise but appeared fatigued, especially playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Outside of Durant and Booker, the Suns struggled to find additional scoring options. Bradley Beal, in particular, was limited to 10 points on 5-of-13 shooting and missed a crucial layup at the end of the first quarter.
On the other hand, the Hornets thrived with their entire starting lineup on the court for only the third time this season, and the first occasion in back-to-back games. Charlotte’s starting five finally found cohesion late in the second quarter, displaying efficient ball movement that led to open shot opportunities.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Ball attracted two defenders and then found Brandon Miller open in the corner. Miller capitalized on the opportunity, sinking a crucial wide-open 3-pointer to extend the Hornets’ lead to 11 points with 1:21 remaining in the contest.
Noteworthy is the statistic that prior to this game, the Hornets had only managed to secure one victory since Thanksgiving.
Looking ahead, both teams are set for action on Thursday night, with the Suns hosting the Hawks and the Hornets facing off against the Lakers.
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