The Hornets came into the game holding the 8th seed in the east with a chance to go to the playoffs in the play in scenario with a win or a loss by the Bulls and the Hornets let the Nets take care of the Bulls instead.
One thing I did notice today was that over the last two games LaMelo Ball has struggled shooting the ball as he missed a few free throws late in Sunday’s game and continues the struggle in this game as well. He is still making a difference on the court by rebounding and passing the ball.
Hornets G Devonte Graham has been out for a few game until he made his return back to the court today and came in with some fire. Graham scored 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter as he was shooting the lights out in Charlotte but it wasn’t enough to take down the Denver Nuggets.
Ball finished the game with 5 points 12 rebounds and 7 assists, Terry Rozier had 21 points in this game against the Nuggets after a career night on Sunday night.
Early in the third quarter head coach of the Hornets James Borrego was ejected as he complained on a no call foul by the Nuggets and then seconds later LaMelo Ball was given a technical foul for no apparent reason.
LaMelo Ball got a tech for moving the ref’s hand 😳 pic.twitter.com/b2H4x133pZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2021
Nuggets C Nikola Jokic was dominant as usual with 30 points and 11 rebounds. Another player whose been playing great is Michael Porter Jr who just seems to have a size advantage on lots of his defenders which makes the game easy for him.
The game seemingly looked like it was over through the middle of the fourth quarter but not until Graham and the Hornets began a huge run that cut the lead down to two points late in the game but the game got away from the Hornets.
#Hornets have clinched a spot in the play-in tournament thanks to Brooklyn's win over Chicago tonight. But their exact seeding remains up in the air with three games remaining. Good possibility it comes down to their matchup in Washington on Sunday.
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) May 12, 2021
Even tho the Hornets lost this game, they have now clinched a spot in the play in playoffs tournament with the Brooklyn Nets defeating the Chicago Bulls tonight.
LaMelo Ball as a rookie will get an opportunity to play in the playoffs and make a run at chasing his first NBA Championship. Next game is on Thursday as they host the Los Angeles Clippers.
