Charlotte HornetsOpen full analysis
Houston RocketsOpen full analysis
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Houston Rockets 109–99 on February 5 at Toyota Center, with the visiting team's three-point barrage proving decisive in a defensive struggle. Charlotte's Karl Knueppel led all scorers with 24 points, while LaMelo Ball added 20 in a balanced offensive effort that saw the Hornets connect on 17 three-pointers despite shooting just 41.4 percent overall. Kevin Durant paced Houston with 31 points, but the Rockets managed only 8 threes on 45.8 percent shooting and were outrebounded 46–40. The game fell well short of the Vegas total of 218.5, with Charlotte's second quarter—32 points—setting the tone early; Houston's defense rated 108.3 (poor by season standards), while the Rockets' 101.2 offensive rating couldn't sustain pace. Houston's 18 turnovers and 17 steals allowed against underscored careless ball movement in a low-scoring affair. The loss leaves Houston searching for consistency on the road as the Hornets' three-point depth continues to be a differentiator in close contests.
