LaMelo Ball helped the Hornets beat the Miami Heat 108-103 in the Spectrum Center yesterday. Ball had 19 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds in 40 minutes. Melo is coming off a 32-point performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Miami Heat’s star Jimmy Butler had 28 points, six assists, and three rebounds in 33 minutes, and Tyler Herro led all scorers with 33 points, five assists, and seven rebounds in 41 minutes. Gordon Hayward led the Hornets in scoring with 21 points, two assists, and three rebounds in 30 minutes.
Related: Breaking: LaMelo Ball made NBA history after beating the Spurs
LaMelo Ball helped the Hornets outlast the Miami Heat
LaMelo Ball helped the Hornets to win a competitive game against the Miami Heat by playing a significant role in the team’s dominant first quarter. The Hornets won the first quarter 29-16. After such an impressive first quarter, the Heat could not recover. The Heat never led in this game, although they were competitive after the first quarter.
I have repeatedly argued that an underappreciated key for the Charlotte Hornets to win consistently is for the team to be competitive in the first quarter of games. When one examines the games the team has lost this season, one discovers a recurrent theme: a poor first quarter. Therefore, if the Hornets wish to win games more consistently, they must prioritize starting fast and winning the first quarter of games.
As the team’s leader and superstar, LaMelo Ball must emphasize the significance of having a successful first quarter in each game.
Charlotte Hornets face Detroit Pistons
Although the Charlotte Hornets have a horrible record, the Detroit Pistons’ record is worse. The Pistons are the worst team in the Eastern Conference. After beating two competitive teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Miami Heat, consecutively, the Hornets need to keep their momentum. To lose at home to the Detroit Pistons tomorrow would be unacceptable.
