Charlotte Hornets defeat the Orlando Magic 109-102! Takes the season series against the Magic!

For the first time in franchise history, the Charlotte Hornets sweep the season series against the Orlando Magic, beating the Magic 109-102 on Wednesday night. It’s the third straight victory for the Hornets and pulls the Hornets within three games from the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Magic starting forward Jeff Green didn’t play tonight due to back spasms, Hornets starting forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist did play after spraining his ankle in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks. It only took less than three minutes for Marco Belinelli to score 11 points in the second quarter to help give the Hornets a five-point lead and outscore Orlando 14-3 to start the second quarter. The Magic would re-take the lead by converted nearly 48% from the field and hitting six threes’ in the first half and led at halftime, 54-48. Orlando led by as many as ten points twice in the third quarter, but with help from Kemba Walker, who scored 8 points in the quarter. Charlotte pulled within five going into the fourth quarter. Charlotte outscored the Magic 20-10 during a five-minute stretch that began at the seven-minute mark. During that time, Frank Kaminsky scored 11 points, including three three-pointers. Hornets went up 104-97 after Walker’s three-pointer with two minutes left. Charlotte outscored the Magic 32-20 in the fourth quarter. Orlando would make a run with less than a minute left, but it was too late and the Hornets held on and won.

            The MVP for the Hornets this game is Frank Kaminsky who scored 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Frank scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to help the Hornets make a comeback and get the win. Frank has been playing good ever since the All-Star break, especially after coming back from his shoulder injury. Usually after an injury it takes time for a shooter to get going again, but Frank didn’t miss a step averaging 16 points in the previous three games since returning from a shoulder injury. The Hornets didn’t shoot the three ball well in this game, only shooting 33% for the entire game. But they made it up by scoring 50 points in the paint. It helped the Hornets grabbed 12 offensive rebounds and scoring 16 points off those rebounds, also having 24 assists is a great stat to see from a team that likes to share the ball. Charlotte starters didn’t play well, being outscored 70-63 by the Magic starters. But the bench help keep the Hornets into it and the starters made enough plays in the fourth quarter to help get the victory for the Hornets. The leading scorers for the Hornets this game were Kemba Walker with 22 points 7 assists, Marco Belinelli with 20 points, Cody Zeller with 15 points 6 rebounds, Nicolas Batum with 10 points and 6 assists. The leading scorers for the Magic this game were Terrence Ross with 19 points, Elfrid Payton and Evan Fournier both had 15 points, Nikola Vucevic with 14 points 12 rebounds and a career-high 8 assists. Charlotte Hornets (32-39) return home Friday to take on defending NBA Champions Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Charlotte Hornets annihilate the Orlando Magic, 121-81

Charlotte Hornets dismantle the Orlando Magic Friday night, 121 to 81. The Hornets have won six straight against the Magic and won three out of their last four games. While the Magic has lost three of their last four games. This game marks the first 40-point victory by Charlotte since January 2002 against the Knicks. Backup forward Frank Kaminsky (left shoulder sprain) and backup center Johnny O’Bryant (right ankle sprain) were both out this game for the Hornets. Frank participated in shoot around before the game but didn’t play, expect him to come back soon. The Hornets never trail this game, shooting a season-high 59% from the field while hitting 10 three pointers. Hornets had a season-best 34 assists which helped them score 30-plus points in three-quarters.

            The MVP for the Hornets this game was Marvin Williams who scored 12 points, grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds, and dished out 7 assists! Marvin also provided the highlight of the night with a posterized dunk over Bismack Biyombo on a three-point play with less than a minute left in the second quarter. Marvin Williams has been playing great all season long. He’s been struggling from beyond the arc the entire season, but has made up for it on his defense and grabbing rebounds, the ability to drive to the basket and hit floaters and get fouled and make free throws. I was glad when the Hornets re-signed Marvin last offseason and he hasn’t disappointed in my opinion. After Coach Clifford singled out the bench play after the Miami Heat game the bench come ready to play, scoring 61 points for the Hornets. If Charlotte can get half of that production from their bench each game, the Hornets would be a dangerous team going into the postseason. The leading scorers for the Hornets this game were Kemba Walker with 23 points, Marco Belinelli with 18 points, Nicolas Batum with 15 points 10 assists and Brain Roberts with 15 points. The leading scorers for the Magic were Aaron Gordon with 20 points, Evan Fournier with 14 points, Mario Hezonja with 11 points, Bismack Biyombo with 7 points and 10 rebounds. Charlotte Hornets (29-36) play again tomorrow night at home against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Charlotte Hornets blew out the Orlando Magic, 120-101

Charlotte Hornets blew-out the Orlando Magic 120 to 101 Wednesday night. Hornets won its fourth game in five games while the Magic snapped a two-game winning streak after beating the Lakers and Grizzlies. The Hornets have beaten Orlando five straight times and won 7 of last 8 meetings. There was little defense in the first half from both teams, but Charlotte had a seven-point lead in at halftime. The Hornets got hot fast to start the second half, in a six-minute stretch in the middle of the third quarter where Charlotte outscored the Magic 28 to 2. Most of the shots during that six-minute stretch came in open floor, following Magic turnovers or long rebounds, Orlando shot 1 for 11 and committed four turnovers during that stretch, falling behind 92 to 61. Charlotte would outscore the Magic by 22 points in the entire third quarter. Magic leading scorer Evan Fournier missed his third straight game due to a bruise heel, while Hornets Marco Belinelli was out with an ankle sprain. Cody Zeller would cut his ring finger on his right hand right before halftime but would come back and play the second half.

            Hornets MVP for this game would be Nicolas Batum with 20 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists under 30 minutes. Who been playing excellent basketball for the past month and hopefully he keeps playing this well because it takes a bug loud off Kemba back his isn’t rely on to score all the time. Other leading scorers for the Hornets was Kemba Walker with 21 points 5 assists and Jeremy Lamb with 14 points off the bench. Hornets shot 55% from the field for the entire game and only missed one free-throw as well. Orlando Magic top scorers was Nikola Vucevic with 21 points, Serge Ibaka who scored all his 20 points in the first half and Jodie Meeks with 11 points. Charlotte Hornets (18-14) play Thursday night against the Miami Heat, the last time these teams faced-off the Hornets beat them 97-91 in the second game of the season.

Charlotte Hornets blow-out the Orlando Magic, 109 to 88

The Charlotte Hornets blew-out the Orlando Magic 109-88 Thursday night in Charlotte, giving the southeast division leading Hornets their third straight victory and handing the Magic there second straight lost after having a three-game winning streak. Also, the fourth straight victory against the Orlando Magic for Charlotte. The Hornets out-rebounded a very good rebounding Magic team, 59-40. The Magic only shot 37% from the field and 26% from the three-point line. While Charlotte 48% from the field and 40% from three-point line. After a late second quarter surge that started by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting, the Hornets lead 52 to 46 at halftime. Charlotte would push their lead to 21 in the third quarter and never looked back, also allowing the starters to rest the entire fourth quarter.

            MVP for the Hornets this game would be Nicolas Batum with 16 points, 4 for 4 from the three point-line and 9 rebounds, 7 assist. Who has been playing excellent lately and hopefully keeps playing well in upcoming harder games. Other leading scorers for the Hornets are, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with 16 points and 7 rebounds, Kemba Walker with 15 points 5 assist and Ramon Sessions and Jeremy Lamb had 12 points each. Magic’s leading scores were Evan Fournier with 14 points, Serge Ibaka with 12 points and 7 rebounds and Bismack Biyombo with 9 points. Charlotte plays again tomorrow against the Cleveland Cavs, who they played earlier in the year and lost in hard fought battle, 100 to 93.