Bulls Slide Past Hornets in Overtime

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - For the second time in four days the Charlotte Hornets fall to the Chicago Bulls. After a long road trip, Charlotte returned to Spectrum Center which has been a House of Horrors for them this season, losing 119-112 in overtime.

The Hornets looked a little sluggish out of the gate as they missed six of their first seven shots from the floor and fell behind 14-2. Fortunately, that wouldn't be how the rest of the game would go for the Purple and Teal. JT Thor gave some quality minutes in the opening half, recording a new single-game high for offensive rebounds by the second quarter. 

Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier carried the offensive output, hitting several big shots to keep the Hornets within reach and eventually knot things up in the final minute of regulation. Bridges hit the game-tying jumper with 46.1 seconds left and after a defensive stop, Rozier had a chance to put the bugs ahead with less than ten on the clock but he forced up a tough shot from the perimeter. DeMar DeRozan missed a heavily contested mid-range jumper as time expired.

Chicago owned the overtime frame right from the jump, scoring the first eight points against a fatigued Hornets' lineup. 

Best of the Night: Terry Rozier.

T-Ro continues to be the driving force for this team with LaMelo Ball on the bench. Not only was he efficient shooting the ball, but he drew a lot of contact and got to the foul line a bunch. He finished the game with 39 points, marking the fifth time he's notched a 30-point game in as many weeks.

Worst of the Night: Paint defense.

This isn't really much of a surprise as the Hornets have had issues all season long on the interior. Tonight, however, they were manhandled. Andre Drummond and Nikola Vuceic combined for 42 points on the night and as a team, the Bulls scored 62 from the painted area.

Highlight of the Night: