The Hornets entered today’s game at 31-33 for the year and hold the 8th seed in the east but that’s not really the problem, it’s the absence of Hornets F Miles Bridges. He will be out for the next 10-14 days due to the health protocol the NBA currently has right now due to Covid-19.
Report: Hornets forward Miles Bridges expected to miss 10-14 days due to coronavirus protocols https://t.co/NKgEtJ5Xup
— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) May 4, 2021
This was LaMelo Ball’s third game since returning after having surgery on his right wrist and at this moment with a few starting teammates out, the pressure is building on Ball to carry this team into the playoffs. What is pressure to LaMelo? Nothing, pressure does not exist to him.
The only thing on LaMelo’s mind right now is to cash in his ticket to the NBA Playoffs in his first year in the NBA. He’s not worried about other things like the rookie of the year award which a lot of people believe that’s really what he wants. I personally believe he does deserve it because he brought a winning mentality since day one which at one point in the season before Ball got hurt, they were fourth seed in the east.
The other kid who people believe should be the winner from Minneapolis guard Anthony Edwards does not deserve it for having the highlight dunk of the year. Winning should be considered when voting for the rookie of the year. A team with Karl-Anthony Towns and D’angelo Russell and Edwards are 20-45 for the year as of May 4th. LaMelo and the Hornets had 19 wins when he got hurt on March 20th, so take that for data!
LaMelo Ball passed the ball to his teammate. Put it on the highlight reel #NBA #NBATwitter pic.twitter.com/SPdakVNIFX
— Buzzr Sports (@BuzzrSport) May 5, 2021
As they face the Pistons again but this time in Detroit, The Hornets started battling being down a few starters in the first half as LaMelo was 1-6 from the field but still put 7 points 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Hornets other guards in Terry Rozier and Caleb Martin had a combined of 24 points in the first have which helped the Hornets take the lead into the half 53-49.
The Hornets continued with their foot on the pedal through the third quarter as they still lead but Hornets G Malik Monk has been struggling in this game shooting 0-7 thus far from the field.
An easy pass for @MELOD1P 😏#AllFly | @HornetsOnBally pic.twitter.com/TgqHbZVGsX
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) May 5, 2021
Coming into the fourth quarter the Hornets lead 78-72 with being a must win for the Hornets as they are battling for a ticket to the big dance.
Ball really stepped it up in the fourth getting his teammates involved and scoring for himself which he shows you on the court how easy this game is to him. Another guy making it look easy and having a career night is Pistons G Hamidou Diallo had 35 points as he was a problem throughout the game for the Hornets.
Both teams continued battling all the way to the end in which the Pistons did not want to go away with the Hornets controlling the fourth quarter. It took LaMelo to put two free throws with a few second left in the game to seal this win for the Hornets as they stay in the hunt for the playoffs with only seven games remaining in the year. Ball finished with 23 points 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Next up are the Chicago Bulls as they visit the Hornets on Thursday night.
