Hornets vs. Magic 02/03/2020

Article by contributor David Houston

I'm on vacation a couple days and while I'm gone the Hornets play four quarters of good basketball. Unfortunately, it was spread over two games, both losses where they gave up leads.

Last night, they were competitive and played hard against the visiting Orlando Magic, coached by former Bugs' coach, Steve Clifford (who seems to be doing a good job of teaching up his young squad). This was their fourth consecutive loss to a Magic team they used to dominate.

A lot of solid play all around but the defense was severely lacking throughout.

Terry Rozier had 18pts on 7-14 shooting (2-8 from 3). Miles Bridges with 16pts, 8 rebounds, a steal and a block. Cody Zeller looked more like early season Zeller with 17pts and 7 rebounds and a steal.

Devante Graham just couldn't make a shot for three quarters but came to life in the fourth with 13 pts, finishing with 15 pts and 5 assists (3 turnovers). Hopefully that late surge is a good sign that he's breaking out of his slump or that they're figuring out ways to start getting him open looks.

I cannot figure out what's wrong with Dwayne Bacon. The guy had something of a breakout year last season but just can't seem to get anything going. Last night he had 0pts and 5 rebounds in over 17 mins. I'm rooting for the kid.

I appreciated the good play from the reserves:

Cody Martin with 13pts (a perfect 6-6 shooting) and 8 rebounds.

Malik Monk put forth good effort (though with weak shooting) and gave them 11pts (4-12 shooting, 1-3) and 5 rebounds.

Willy Hernangomez had a solid run with 8pts and 7 rebounds.

I'm good on Coach Borrego playing the young guys but with defense having been a problem lately, those vets like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist might need to see more time, someone that can settle them on that end but won't need the ball so he won't disrupt anything Graham and Rozier or the other guards and forwards are doing.

Onto to Houston. Oh boy.