By Sam Perley, hornets.com
more on:
charlotte hornets
photo gallery
See what you've missed from the:
video footage
Check out video coverage from:
Result
On a night when head coach Steve Clifford challenged his team to be more physical, the hometown Hornets responded with a strong all-around performance on their way to a 103-91 win over the visiting Chicago Bulls on Friday, Dec. 23 in Charlotte. At the forefront of the victory was Nicolas Batum, who tallied his first triple-double of the season and seventh overall of his career as the Hornets cruised to a fifth victory in their last six home games. Charlotte has also now tallied three-consecutive victories over the Bulls, its longest such streak since 2008-09.
Turning Point
Leading 56-55 with 6:04 remaining in the third quarter, Charlotte rolled off a 19-12 run to open up an eight-point lead over Chicago entering the fourth. The Bulls managed to get the deficit down to six points with just over four minutes remaining in the game but couldn’t get back out in front as they lost for the fifth time in their last six outings.
Hornets Player of the Game
Nicolas Batum tallied team-high totals across the board in scoring (20 points), rebounding (11) and assists (10) for his third triple-double as a Charlotte Hornet. The Frenchman is now tied with Baron Davis for the third-most triple-doubles in franchise history, trailing only Anthony Mason (seven) and Larry Johnson (five).
Bulls Player of the Game
Jimmy Butler managed a game-high 26 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists in the loss. This is Butler’s 24th game of the season with 20-or-more points and the team-leading 22nd time he has led the Bulls in scoring as well.
Game Notes
Kemba Walker notched a team-high-tying 20 points, five rebounds and four assists… Cody Zeller added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists… Michael Kidd-Gilchrist just missed a double-double, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and a game-high-tying four blocks… Frank Kaminsky chipped in 13 points and five rebounds off the bench… Charlotte outscored Chicago in the paint, 48-32… Both teams finished with 19 second-chance points… The Hornets blocked a season-high 13 shots… Marco Belinelli left the game in the second quarter and did not return (left ankle sprain)… Chicago’s Taj Gibson (second technical foul) and Robin Lopez (flagrant 2 foul) were both ejected in the fourth quarter.
Quote of the Night
“I thought Nic [Batum] was terrific and Frank [Kaminsky] gave us a good lift off the bench and you know Mike [Kidd-Gilchrist] does so many things, but in a game like that, he [Kidd-Gilchrist] guards [Jimmy] Butler for a big part of the game and then also his rebounding. He had a huge jumper there when they [Chicago] cut it to six in the fourth quarter. It’s a good win and we’re starting to play better here at home, which is important going forward.” - Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford
Quote of the Night
“I thought Nic [Batum] was terrific and Frank [Kaminsky] gave us a good lift off the bench and you know Mike [Kidd-Gilchrist] does so many things, but in a game like that, he [Kidd-Gilchrist] guards [Jimmy] Butler for a big part of the game and then also his rebounding. He had a huge jumper there when they [Chicago] cut it to six in the fourth quarter. It’s a good win and we’re starting to play better here at home, which is important going forward.” - Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford
Next Up
The Hornets begin a two-game road trip against the Nets starting at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26 in Brooklyn. The game can be seen on FOX Sports Southeast or heard on WFNZ or on the official Charlotte Hornets mobile app.
next up
Monday Dec 26 - 7:30 pmBarclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Fox Sports Southeast - Charlotte Hornets App & WFNZ 610 AM