Charlotte Hornets (43-36) beat Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) 122-108 on the road on Sunday, April 5.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Hornets had the better start, winning the first 29-21 to lead by 8 after one. The Timberwolves moved in front with a 39-26 second quarter, carrying a 5-point lead into halftime.
The Hornets won the third 34-19 to turn the game around, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth. The Hornets took the fourth 33-29; the Hornets finished the job for a 122-108 regulation win.
What decided it
The Hornets grabbed 38.1% of their own misses, while the Timberwolves recovered 30.2%. The Hornets got more from their shots, finishing at 59.2% effective field-goal shooting compared with 54.2% for the Timberwolves. The second chances kept adding up.
The Timberwolves did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 21.7 against 14.1. The Hornets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 97 possessions per team, the Hornets produced 125.3 points per 100 possessions to 110.9 for the Timberwolves.
Who made the difference
LaMelo Ball was the game's biggest individual force for CHA: 35 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast on 13-22 shooting. His Game Score of 27.5 led everyone. His team was +15 with him on the floor.
Nah'Shon Hyland led the Timberwolves with 18 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast on 5-11 shooting, good for a 19 Game Score.
Rudy Gobert (12 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 50% for the Hornets.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Minnesota Timberwolves lead 3-0.
The Hornets are now 43-36, and the Timberwolves are 46-32. The Hornets last five before this game: L-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.