The Charlotte Hornets shot just 40% from the field and 24% from three as they lost badly to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 114-93.

The Summary

Taj Gibson opened the scoring with the 55th made 3-pointer of his career. The teams traded a bunch of jumpers in a hot start to the game, but those started to dry up as the quarter went along. The teams were knotted up at 24 after one.

The game started to get away from the Hornets in quarter number two. The Wolves went on a run with Anthony Edwards on the bench and established a double digit lead. There were a few minutes where the teams pretty even but relatively poor basketball, then the Hornets went three minutes without a point to let the Wolves extend the lead to 16. It was a 12 point game at the break.

There were a few moments where the Hornets looked liked they were going to make another third quarter charge, but it never materialized. The Hornets briefly cut the lead to single digits and looked like they were going to make a game of it heading into the fourth quarter. Soon after, a personal 5-0 run by Naz Reid then a reckless transition take foul by LaMelo Ball to aid a four point possession by Donte DiVincenzo put the Wolves up 20 by quarter’s end.

Any Hornets comeback attempt couldn’t get off the ground. They missed a bunch of open threes while Naz Reid buried them with made threes on the other end. The benches were emptied over the course of what amounted to a quarter of garbage time.

The Good

LaMelo Ball didn’t foul out.

Tre Mann extended his streak to seven straight games scoring double figures off the bench to start the season.

The Bad

Pretty much everything.

Brandon Miller is still looking for his groove. He made just 3-of-10 shots and scored only 10 points. I’m not worried that he’ll find it, but I’m anxious to see him and Ball both playing well together.

Miles Bridges continues to not play well or generally make his presence felt on a nightly basis. He’s shooting sub-40% from the field and sub-30% from three on the season.

What’s Next

The Hornets fly back to Charlotte for a brief two game homestand that starts with a winnable game against the Pistons.