83
102
The Charlotte Hornets didn't want to end 2014 on a low note, and that's what happened on Wednesday night in Houston, as they fell to the Houston Rockets 102-83.
Leading the way for the Houston Rockets in the win on Wednesday was James Harden, who led all scorers with 36 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field, while Patrick Beverley had a strong game on the night for the Rockets, who improved to 22-9 on the year, adding in 14 points. Donatas Motiejunas played well off the bench for Kevin McHale's squad, finishing up with 12, Dwight Howard would end up with 11 points, and rounding out the group of double-figure scorers for the Rockets was Trevor Ariza with 10 points.
And for Charlotte in the loss, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gerald Henderson each had 16 to co-lead the Hornets. Charlotte hopes to begin 2015 on a high note as they return home to Time Warner Cable Arena tonight to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, minus LeBron James for a 7:00 p.m. start.
Charlotte Hornets(10-22) vs. Houston Rockets(21-9)
Toyota Center, Houston
Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
Television: SportSouth
Radio: WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan)
Series history(since original Hornets first season in 1988-89): HOU leads series 36-13 all-time
Tonight begins a tough stretch of games for the Charlotte Hornets, as they wrap up 2014 in Houston against the Rockets in a New Year's Eve match-up. Things turned for the worse yesterday for the Hornets, as center Al Jefferson will be out for the next 4 weeks due to a groin strain, and that could possibly signal the unofficial end of what was a promising season as we know it for the Hornets. Houston on the other hand has a pretty good record at home with a 10-6 mark, and a 21-9 record overall coming into tonight's game despite losing 2 straight games.
Scouting the Hornets
Last night, the Hornets would receive the devastating news that they didn't want to hear, as Al Jefferson will miss the next 4 weeks due to a groin strain. The team announced today that they have recalled Noah Vonleh from it's NBA D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and he could join the team tonight in Houston for the game against the Rockets. Charlotte has lost it's last three games, and are in desperate need of a win to wrap up 2014 on a high note, as they look to get it tonight in Houston against an always tough Rockets squad led by Dwight Howard and James Harden.
Scouting the Rockets
The Houston Rockets find themselves holding the 4th-best record in the Western Conference with a 21-9 record overall, and they've been extremely well at home this season with a 10-6 record overall. Recently, they have lost two straight games, but that didn't slow down the play of two of their star players in Dwight Howard and James Harden, with Harden leading the team with a 27.4 points per game average, while Howard leads the team with 11.8 rebounds per game. Can the two help end the Rockets short losing skid? That question will be answered tonight in this New Year's Eve game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Toyota Center.
Next 4 games for the Hornets(Home games in Purple, Road games in Teal)
Friday: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
Saturday: Charlotte @ Orlando Magic(7:00 p.m.)
Monday: Charlotte @ Boston Celtics(7:30 p.m.)
Next Wednesday: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
*-Southeast Division game
NOTES: All SportSouth telecasts begin with "Hornets Live" 30 minutes before tip-off; All Hornets games can be heard locally on flagship station WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan) and throughout the Carolinas on the Hornets Radio Network.
