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Porzingis Explodes to Lead Wizards past Hornets 118-104

After a competitive first half Charlotte fell apart in the second.
James Plowright|
Porzingis Explodes to Lead Wizards past Hornets 118-104
Porzingis Explodes to Lead Wizards past Hornets 118-104

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Charlotte HornetsWashington Wizards

After having two full off-days and managing to squeeze in two practices, Charlotte started the game with great energy on both ends. The starting unit were active defensively locking into coverages and being disruptive, this helped them get out in transition multiple times creating efficient offense. LaMelo and Hayward both started well, scoring efficiently from the field. Ball even had one stand out possession where he locked up All-Star Bradley Beal showing growth as a defender. The quarter was a back and forth affair with 12 leads changes due to Washington's offensive rebounding, a familiar story for Charlotte. The quarter finished with Kendrick Nunn hitting a buzzer beater to give Washington a 32-31 lead.

The second quarter was largely more of the same, Charlotte's second unit particularly picked it up with McDaniels and Smith Jr forcing several Wizards turnovers. The highlight of the quarter was this lovely lob play to Smith Jr, a new wrinkle put into the offense we've not seen so far this year. At the half the game was tied at 61-61 with everything to play for in the second half.

Charlotte's offense went dry in the 3rd going just 6-25 from the field. Porzingis exploded for 18 points in the quarter to lead Washington to a 12 point lead. There was a scary moment when with 8 minutes to go in the quarter Mason Plumlee had to leave the game after being hit on his right hand. Plumlee later returned tot he game with strapping on two of his fingers and was diagnosed right a right "Hand sprain".

The less said bout the 4th quarter the better, so let's just leave it there okay?  Porzingis finished with 36 points, PJ Washington led the Hornets with 20 points (7-17) followed by Terry Rozier (7-20). LaMelo Ball had a quiet night finishing with 16pts 6reb 4ast (6-15).

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James Plowright
JAMES PLOWRIGHT

Twitter: @British_Buzz Linked In: James Plowright Muck Rack: James Plowright About Me Bylines for: Sports Illustrated, Sky Sports NBA, SB Nation, Queen City Hoops Based in Manchester in the United Kingdom, I have covered the Charlotte Hornets since 2008. When I was 16 years old I won a blogging competition on Bobcats.com, this ignited my passion for journalism and since then I went on to write for a variety of blogs; Hornets Planet, Queen City Hoops and At The Hive. In 2022 I took on the role as site content manager for the Charlotte Hornets Fannation site (AllHornets.com).  I am also the founder of the All Hornets Podcast Network, having recorded over 350+ Hornets related podcasts.  Awards - The All Hornets podcast was nominated for "Best Team Podcast" in the 2022 Sports Podcast Awards.  - I was nominated for "Sports Writer of the Year" in 2013 for LSU Media while studying my B.A in History and International Relations at Loughborough University. 

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