New Orleans PelicansOpen full analysis
Charlotte HornetsOpen full analysis
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 102–95 on February 2 at Spectrum Center, holding the visiting team well below the Vegas total of 230.5 points in a defensive showcase. LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 24 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 17, as the Hornets shot 40 percent from the field and connected on 12 three-pointers to secure their home victory. New Orleans countered with Trey Murphy III's team-high 27 points and Dante Queen's 16, but the Pelicans managed only 95 points despite shooting a comparable 39.3 percent and dishing out 23 assists. Charlotte's defensive rating of 97.9 proved decisive; New Orleans scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter after putting up 30 in the first, a collapse that sealed the outcome. The Hornets' 59 rebounds to New Orleans' 34 provided a crucial rebounding advantage, though the Pelicans' nine steals showed defensive intensity. Charlotte's balanced offensive rating of 102.1 and ball security—just 16 turnovers—gave them control throughout. The loss marks a concerning fourth-quarter breakdown for New Orleans, raising questions about their closing execution.
