Post-Game Journal Report: Game 20: Kings @ Hornets


WHEW…Hornets win in one of the many nailbiters already this season by defeating the Kings at the Hive to improve to 8-2 at the N.O. Arena and 9-11 overall.

Game 20: Kings 94 @ Hornets 96

–Hornets led by 10 at the end of the first, tied at the end of the half, trail by 1 at the end of the third, and win by 2…they need to learn to close out games more effectively because we were lucky Nocioni missed the first free throw and then made the lane violation

–Chris Paul had 15 points and 12 assists. Even though his point totals are down from his average since he came back, his assists totals are going up…remember he averaged 11 assists last season. But CP will get back into the scoring groove quickly…

–And the other starters are better with Paul sharing the ball…Emeka with another double-double with 17 points and 12 boards and 4 blocks…West with 24 points and 12 boards…Peja with 14 (4-5 from three)

–Thornton had 8 off the bench and Songalia had 11 points including the late bucket in the fourth…I don’t know why Songalia was in late in the game and not Okafor because Okafor was not in any foul trouble…Bower did say he would reassess the way he handles Okafor in the fourth quarters

–No defense from the Hornets in the last two Kings possessions which included an easy lay-up by Evans (I believe) coasting in the lane and a missed lay-up which resulted in a Hornets foul to send Noconi to the line…In a game this close, that cannot happen; you cannot let the guy coast through the lane for an easy tying lay-up

–Home court advantage is playing big for the Hornets…8-2 and let’s keep it up against the Knicks @ home on Friday

–But…tomorrow will be the Hornets traveling to Minny to take on the T’Wolves @ 7Pm on CST

-Mr. Kennedy


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