NBA Scores: Hornets Use Late Surge To Defeat Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets, NBA News
NBA Analysis Network

CJ McCollum and the New Orleans Pelicans (30-42) took on LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets (37-35) in part of the NBA Monday slate. It was the Hornets who came out on top with a narrow 106-103 victory.

CJ McCollum finished with 27 points and six assists along with Jonas Valanciunas recording 24 points, 18 rebounds, and five assists to lead the Pelicans. The Hornets used a 21-10 run in the remaining nine minutes of the game to ultimately pull out the victory in this game.

It was quite a balanced scoring effort for the Hornets in this game. None of their players even reached 18 points individually but they did have six players score in double-figures. Shooting 50.6 percent from the floor proved to be a key overall difference-maker.

”The execution down the stretch is extremely important,” said Pelicans coach Willie Green. ”It’s something we’ve been talking about and we just fell a little short with this one down the stretch. It was right there for the taking. Give Charlotte credit, they made plays down the stretch that ultimately won the game for them.”

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The clear-cut top storyline in this game was the point guard battle between CJ McCollum and LaMelo Ball. With Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram both sidelined for the Pelicans, McCollum will be needed to fill a very high usage role in their half-court offense. The Hornets didn’t let him beat them 1-on-1 in clutch-time.

In the New Orleans Pelicans’ previous game, they defeated the Atlanta Hawks with 117-112 being the final score. Jonas Valanciunas (26) and CJ McCollum (25) combined for 51 points.

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The Charlotte Hornets had a hot scoring night in their previous outing and took down the Dallas Mavericks 129-108. Luka Doncic dropped 37 points while the Hornets received 23 from Miles Bridges and 21 from PJ Washington while Terry Rozier (18), LaMelo Ball (17), Kelly Oubre Jr. (17), Montrezl Harrell (13), and Isaiah Thomas (11) all finished in double-figures, too.

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