The Charlotte Hornets (20-23) defeated the Orlando Magic (20-22) 120-16 in overtime on Friday.
The contest featured notable lineup changes for both clubs, although the visitors' patchwork starting five was certainly not put together by choice. With starting center Cody Zeller, who in turn has been filling in for the sidelined Al Jefferson (knee), on the bench for the night with a shoulder strain, Spencer Hawes received the starting nod at the five position. Meanwhile, Nicolas Batum's troublesome toe kept him out of action, bringing Jeremy Lin off the bench and into the starting unit. On the home team's end, Aaron Gordon was brought into the starting lineup in the hopes that he could provide a bit more production than veteran Channing Frye, while Victor Oladipo's return from a knee ailment sent Evan Fournier into a reserve role. Unsurprisingly, it was the healthier Magic who appeared to have the game well in hand through three quarters, carrying a 94-79 advantage into the final period. However, a furious rally by the Hornets, spearheaded by Kemba Walker, allowed Charlotte to double up Orlando 30-15 and almost walk away with the victory in regulation. Victor Oladipo managed to send the game into overtime with a crucial three-pointer with five seconds remaining, before the Hornets overcame some more Oladipo heroics to edge out the Magic.
Walker tallied 40 points, including two key free throws in the final seconds of overtime, along with nine assists, seven rebounds, four steals and a block. One of his two turnovers almost helped erase his outstanding performance, as Oladipo managed to steal the ball from the Hornets' point guard with 28 seconds remaining in overtime and slam it home on the other end to give the Magic a temporary 116-115 lead. Hawes turned in a solid effort in Zeller's stead, tallying 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and a block. His final three points, a long-range bomb from the left corner, were particularly crucial, as they erased the aforementioned one-point Magic lead in overtime and gave Charlotte a 118-116 advantage they wouldn't relinquish. Marvin Williams made it two double-doubles in the frontcourt on the evening for the Hornets, compiling 11 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Troy Daniels paced the Charlotte reserves with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block.
With the win, the Hornets still find themselves in last place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. They now head home to face the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Oladipo's return sparked the Orlando offense, as he led the team with 29 points, four rebounds, three assists and the key steal from Walker. Tobias Harris was next in line with 22 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Nikola Vucevic tallied a double-double, posting 15 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and six blocks. Elfrid Payton got in on the act as well, registering 11 points, 10 assists and a steal. Gordon was productive across the stat sheet in his start, amassing 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists, including a key three-pointer in overtime off an Oladipo assist. Fournier contributed off the bench, leading the reserves with 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and a block.
Despite the loss, the Magic still holds on to fourth place in the Eastern Conference's Southeast Division. They face off against the Grizzlies in Memphis on Monday.
