featured-image

Bulls Ride Early Run to Victory

By Matt Gorry, hornets.com

The Result

Despite rallying to outscore their opponent for the second-straight game in the fourth quarter, an early hole doomed the Hornets, who fell, 101-96, on Oct. 19 at the United Center in Chicago.

Turning Points

With the game close for much of the first quarter, Kirk Hinrich ignited a spurt to close out the opening frame and open the second. Hinrich scored 13 points as part of a 26-7 run that put Chicago up for good at 48-30 with 8:11 left in the second.  

Inside the Box Score

All five Hornets starters hit double figures for the first time this preseason in a balanced scoring night… Lance Stephenson turned in his best outing with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting with two rebounds and two assists… Michael Kidd-Gilchrist matched Stephenson with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while adding six boards and three dimes… Al Jefferson tacked on a dozen points with eight rebounds. Jefferson scored 10 points in the first quarter for the second-consecutive game… Marvin Williams just missed on a double-double with 12 points and nine boards, including three offensive rebounds… Kemba Walker rounded out the starters with 10 points, seven dimes and three rebounds.

Hornets Player of the Game

Lance Stephenson tallied his best night yet in a Hornet uniform, finishing with a team-high 14 points on 64 percent shooting (7-of-11). Stephenson added a pair of rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal in a losing effort.

Bulls Player of the Game

Kirk Hinrich came off the bench and shot lights out to power the Bulls. Hinrich connected on 11-of-14 shots (79 percent) for a game-high 26 points.

Game Notes

Chicago outshot the Hornets 46.8 percent (36-of-77) to 44.3 percent (39-of-88) from the field… Charlotte won the rebounding battle, 46-43, including a 10-7 edge on the offensive glass… P.J. Hairston led all Hornets bench players with 12 points, including 3-for-6 from 3-point land… Brian Roberts and Cody Zeller added seven points apiece… Gary Neal tacked on six points.

Next Up

The Hornets wrap up a three-game road trip Monday in Atlanta, squaring off with the Hawks at Philips Arena. The game can be heard on WFNZ or on the Hornets mobile app.