The title really sums it up. In the first half the Hornets ran out to a 64-39 lead. It was a combination of incredibly good play on both ends of the court for the Hornets along with just putrid shooting from the Kings. Defensively the Hornets did a great job forcing 8 turnovers and contesting most of Sacramento’s shots forcing them to shoot a terrible 34.1% from the field. Offensively, Ryan Anderson made 5 3-pointers and the team had 18 assists. It was pretty basketball all around.
Then the third quarter started and the Hornets entered Opposite Land.
The Kings got hot and stopped missing–shooting 62.2% in the second half. A lot of this was the lack of Anthony Davis who rolled his ankle on a ref’s foot–all seemed good however when Davis came out of the locker room looking fine. He said he expects to play on Wednesday. The lack of the interior defensive presence allowed the Kings to score 34 points in the paint in the second half. The Hornets turned the ball over 11 times to the Kings 2. Overall, the play was incredible sloppy with players falling down and simply losing the ball as they dribbled. All of a sudden the 25 point lead evaporated and it even looked like the win could be in doubt.
But the Hornets managed to hold on and get the 114-105 win. It was the first Hornets win when they’ve allowed over 100 points.
Observations
-Not having Davis in the second half really hurt the team more than I thought it would have. DeMarcus Boogie Cousins went off after the break for 21 points. The Hornets had no one who could guard him. He wasn’t using any fancy moves or threatening to eat people. He merely dribbled into the lane for a dunk or close shot. The Hornets struggle with very strong, physical centers even with Davis in the lineup, without him Lopez and Smith were very over matched.
-Keeping with Boogie Cousins, my favorite part of the night was during the Mardi Gras race the Hornets do with a King, Jester and creepy Baby. Cousins stepped away from the Kings huddle and just stared at the Baby with his mouth wide open. I’m not sure if he was creeped out or thought he was hallucinating.
-Brian Roberts confused me today. He tends to be a shoot first guard but when I though he has a good look or an open lane to drive, he passed. When he needed to pass, he shot the ball. It’s no surprise he finished the night -15.
-I though Rivers played well and didn’t try and do too much. You always hear the cliche, which Monty even used when describing Rivers, that you want players to let the game come to them. That’s what Rivers did tonight. He went out and played as a piece of the offense. He only finished with 4 assists but he made many other correct plays which don’t show up on the stat sheet. His passing is slowly improving–he’s putting more force and speed behind the ball than he did earlier in the season–and if he can finish at the rim slightly better, he could be in for a nice second half of the season.
-Jason Smith is having week of games and I think it speaks volumes to the lack of depth the Hornets have that Monty has to play him so much right now. I think the main prevailing theory on Monty’s rotations is that he is sticking with the hot hand, but if that’s the case I have no idea why Smith is logging minutes in a close(ish) game. He did, however, get to the line well tonight and made his free throws which I guess could be enough of a case to keep him in.
-Ryan Anderson did his Ryan Anderson thing tonight. He finished with a team high 27 points and went 7 of 14 from deep. He’s also flashing that elbow/baseline post-up then fade away jumper a lot more recently. It’s nice to see him have another go-to type of shot and makes him harder to defend.
-Robin Lopez is still struggling on the defensive glass. The positive was that he actually grabbed rebounds tonight though only 1 was defensive. The 4 offensive boards were nice but his rebounding is something that must improve for him to be a viable starter.
-Vasquez had another good game. In the second half he seemed more passive and I would have liked him to try and take charge of the game more. It’s one of the reasons why the Kings managed to chip away at the Hornets’ lead. Vasquez attacked the basket and had multiple good looks from within 5 feet but instead of shooting what is a high percentage shot, he passed out to the perimeter. These passes ended in turnovers or a rushed attempt as time ran down on the shot clock. When you get looks in close you need to take them.
-Aminu has a solid second half. He’s really picked up his level of play recently with Gordon back. The main reason for this seems to be his smarter shot selections. With Gordon back he doesn’t need to worry about trying to make a play on offense and can properly function as a 4th or 5th option. It also allows him to focus more on positioning himself to grab offensive rebounds and he had 4 in the second half today.
21 responses to “Hornets Beat the Kings in a Tale of Two Halves”
Good first half by the team, damn near perfect. The seconed half proved one thing is true for this team. We need a 4 or a 5 that plays solid D. With Anderson out there with Lopez Cousins and J.T did spin after spin on Anderson, and Lopez is too slow to recover and help. You then insert smith and the Kings became Jump shooters unless Cousins had Smith down on the block. Smith being so active prevented that for the short term. But I just dont see how this team can fill that need when Davis goes to the bench. Seconed Rivers is not what we thought he was going to be(a Shooter). He for some reason cant make a jump shot cant finish and can’t make a freethrow. Only thing I can see is that he doesn’t have a spot on the court where he can get a steady shot. His floaters drift out to almost 20ft at times. Has a open layup and dishes, or just flops and falls down. What he does have in his favor is time. Rivers does have one skill that many 1st rounders dont have even Beal, Waiters, or even Lilard doesn’t have it. Thats a quick first step and the ability to change his stride on the drive. Austin draws contact but shots too early and doesn’t get the cal or passes out. Give him Two off seasons and he will learn to draw solid fouls and shape up for some better shot selection. If the tenth pick can work on that he can mimic D.Wades game of 10 to 12 fta a game. and finish with contact. He just needs to sit and watch, look how much his passing has improved since he has been benched. But the team needs to fill that need at the 4 or 5 should be trade bait for are 1st round pick, for 2014 not 2013.
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Looking at the attendance numbers is so painful sometimes (10880 today). When I see a bunch of empty seats part of me dies.
Why?
I’m guessing there were about 6,000 actual souls in the arena today. 10880 is the number of tickets disposed of by the team, so it’s the most inflated number possible. They’ll come if the team wins though.
Actually, that number is the number of tickets purchased PLUS the number of tickets given away that were actually used.
It’s not the most inflated number possible, and the quantity should not be called attendance.
“Inflated” implies some desire to report have the number appear high.
Also, the non of the major factors affecting attendance were in place today, so anyone expecting `good’ attendance was being blissfully ignorant. These factors are: this season’s record, last season’s record, star power, day of the week.
My wife and I drove from Lafayette just to watch the game. My second game, my wife’s first. Had a good time. Want to go again. You know what they say: “People love to watch a winner.”
When they become playoff contenders, more people will go to the games than when CP3 was here. Why? Because of the expanded TV coverage. People who weren’t able to see them on TV before this season that can see them now will want to go to the games. It’s human nature. Be patient. It’ll happen.
BTW, thanks 42.
I know exactly what number they publish, as I’ve researched and written on this issue at length. That’s why I used the word “disposed”. What’s another number they can use that would be larger than the published number? They do want the number to appear high. Why else would they include tickets given away in the published number?
Actual attendance equals the drop count, but that number is closely guarded, so they publish the number of tickets disposed of by the team.
They could include the tickets given away that were used AND those not used. That would be larger.
Why publish that? I would imagine that a ticket purchased has an value of one kind and ticket that was given away has another sort of value in the form of a write-off. The rest is pure loss. Why that should be published . . . I have no idea. Were I them, I’d not publish any of it.
As I understand it, the published number does include the total number of tickets given away, whether they’re used or not.
It does not, per conversations with the team.
Ok. That’s just contradicted by reports such as:
“NBA: A strict leaguewide policy of announcing tickets distributed, including comps. It refuses to release turnstile counts.”
http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060514/news_lz1s14moreatt.html
That is an older report though, and it could be just a matter of semantics.
That may just be a matter of the reporting not being specific on what constitutes a comp. Taking tickets and putting them in box on a desk in the office 1m before tip with a box that says “Take them” is distribution?
I know the guy that told me, and his job was to know. I do not know that reporter.
Here’s one that says no comp tickets are included.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/11934840
I’m really not sure these guys ask the right questions or question the answers they get.
a win is a win…..geaux hornets
The best line up the hornets have is Vasquez, Gordon, Aminu, Anderson, And Davis. That line up will give teams nightmares like it did against the Kings.
This team is building a fan base… Some or let’s say many were probably think…”who whats to watch the Kings and Hornets”… This game wasn’t even in HD on DirectTV.. but it was an entertaining game…
All our players are growing… did anyone notice new wrinkles in EG… But adding my two cents… Lopez is sort of a real question considering he doesn’t seem to want to replay some of the things he does every game… He is almost never in at the end… And why is he shy hooking 2 feet from the rim… Where is his game inside… Frankly I could see this guy working with Kareem doing wonders…
Vasquez could be the long term answer but he either becomes the answer or not… its his to take… we will know pretty soon…
Vasquez could be the long term answer but he either becomes the answer or not… its his to take…
WELL SAID Xman
Yeah the hornets are on the rise, it may take another year but once they are winning consistenly the fans will come out and support!!! The hornets need another big name player too and that would help out attendance…
Attendance will rise with the number of wins. Good game yesterday. Guys are looking more comfortable together every game.