Washington WizardsOpen full analysis
Charlotte HornetsOpen full analysis
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Washington Wizards 119–115 on January 24 at Spectrum Center, holding off a late Washington surge despite a fourth-quarter rally that saw the visitors outscore the hosts 34–26. B. Miller led Charlotte with 21 points and M. Bridges added 20, while the Hornets shot 51.9 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers to control most of the contest. Washington's T. Johnson and A. Sarr combined for 50 points and shot 19 threes, but the Wizards' 13 turnovers and lower field-goal percentage of 45.8 percent proved costly; Charlotte's 21 turnovers nearly offset that advantage. The game finished well below the Vegas total of 231.5, with neither team's offense sustaining rhythm consistently—Charlotte managed a 117.6 offensive rating while Washington countered at 111.7. Charlotte's defensive rating of 111.7 held firm through three quarters, though Washington's fourth-quarter explosion cut what had been a comfortable lead to just four points. The Hornets' balanced attack across Miller and Bridges kept them ahead when it mattered, extending their home record against a Wizards team that will need to tighten ball security down the stretch.
