Charlotte Hornets achieve third consecutive win with dominant performance over Atlanta Hawks

NEW DELHI: Brandon Miller led the charge for the Charlotte Hornets as they secured a convincing 122-99 victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Miller showcased his offensive prowess by pouring in 18 of his 26 points in the first half, setting the tone for the Hornets' dominant performance.
Joining Miller in the scoring effort, Tre Mann continued to impress in his third game with the Hornets, contributing 21 points, while Miles Bridges added 17 points to the scoreboard.The Hornets displayed efficient shooting throughout the game, connecting on 49.4 percent of their field goal attempts. Newcomers Grant Williams and Vasilije Micic also made significant contributions, chipping in with 15 and 13 points, respectively, while Nick Richards rounded out the scoring with 12 points.

The victory marked a milestone for the Hornets, as they secured their third consecutive win for the first time this season, building on their recent success. This winning streak comes after a challenging start to the season, during which they managed only 10 wins.
Charlotte's strong defensive effort was evident as they held the Hawks to less than 100 points for just the second time this season, with this being the first time they achieved such a feat in a victory. De'Andre Hunter led the scoring for the Hawks with 21 points off the bench, followed by Jalen Johnson's 19 points and 12 rebounds. Saddiq Bey contributed 14 points, while Dejounte Murray and Trae Young each added 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Young's offensive output was notably limited, as he was held to less than 20 points for the third consecutive game, a rare occurrence for the star guard this season. The Hawks struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 9-for-38 on 3-pointers, with Young, Murray, and Johnson all struggling to find their rhythm from long range.
Charlotte's ball movement was a key factor in their success, as they racked up 27 assists on 44 made field goals, with Mann leading the team with six assists. Additionally, the Hornets capitalized on their opportunities at the free-throw line, converting 19 of 20 attempts.
The Hornets entered halftime with a narrow 61-55 lead before extending their advantage to 96-80 by the end of the third quarter, with Miller contributing eight points in the period. Despite Young's early scoring efforts, Charlotte's balanced attack and stifling defense ultimately proved too much for the Hawks to overcome, securing an impressive victory for the Hornets as they head into the All-Star break on a high note.
(Inputs from Reuters)