Utah Dominates the Boards in Win Over Hornets

The Hornets move to 22-47 on the season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte Hornets' good vibes have come to an end temporarily as the Utah Jazz strolled into Spectrum Center and picked up a 119-111 win on Saturday night.

With LaMelo Ball out of the lineup, the Hornets have committed to playing a brand of basketball that gives them the best chance to win, which is to play tenacious defense and protect the rim.

The defense of Mark Williams and Nick Richards in the paint have been a major reason why Charlotte is first in defensive rating since the All-Star break. The Hornets were without Williams (right thumb sprain) tonight, but the rim protection still showed up in a big way tonight. Richards slid into the starting lineup and blocked three shots in the first half and Kai Jones also recorded three in just nine minutes. At the half, the Hornets set a season-record nine blocks.

Charlotte was held to just 36% shooting from the floor through two quarters with Terry Rozier being the only player in double figures with 10 points. With Lauri Markkanen (2/14) getting out to an extremely slow start, Talen Horton-Tucker led the charge offensively with 15 points on 7/12 shooting, helping Utah to a 58-49 advantage at the half. 

The Hornets' defense completely fell apart in the third quarter, allowing the Jazz to connect on 15 of its 23 field goal attempts in the frame. Horton-Tucker continue to cause problems making some really tough jumpers and winning in iso versus Terry Rozier. 

After trailing by as many as 23, Charlotte went on a 12-2 run to cut the deficit in half. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored the final 10 points of the third for the Hornets, erasing a miserable 1/9 start to the night shooting the ball. 

Utah took advantage of Williams' absence attacking the glass with 20 offensive rebounds and notching 25 2nd chance points. Utah's dominance inside paired with Horton-Tucker's season-high 37 points was the difference.

The Hornets will be back in action tomorrow evening, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. EST.

CUMULATIVE TEAM STATS

1ST: UTA 32-29

UTA: 11/25 FG | 5/11 3FG | 5/5 FT | 15 REB | 6 AST | 3 TO | 10 PIP

CHA: 10/23 FG | 3/9 3FG | 4/4 FT | 12 REB | 5 AST | 2 TO | 10 PIP

2ND: UTA 58-49

UTA: 22/53 FG | 7/21 3FG | 7/7 FT | 32 REB | 10 AST | 6 TO | 26 PIP

CHA: 18/49 FG | 5/20 3FG | 8/8 FT | 25 REB | 8 AST | 3 TO | 22 PIP

3RD: UTA 97-81

UTA: 37/76 FG | 8/24 3FG | 15/16 FT | 46 REB | 18 AST | 8 TO | 50 PIP

CHA: 30/74 FG | 10/30 3FG | 11/11 FT | 29 REB | 17 AST | 4 TO | 30 PIP

4TH: UTA 119-111

UTA: 46/103 FG | 9/32 3FG | 18/20 FT | 60 REB | 22 AST | 11 TO | 66 PIP

CHA: 40/98 FG | 17/40 3FG | 14/15 FT | 43 REB | 24 AST | 7 TO | 36 PIP

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on Twitter:

Facebook - All Hornets

Twitter - @All_Hornets and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.