Charlotte Hornets: Pitch Perfect Game Against Bulls

Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward center

(00) gets a rebound with guard

(3) and forward Cody Zeller (40) during the second half of the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130 -105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

1. Depth Rules

The Bulls fielded a starting five of Derek Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, and Tony Snell. That group looks better than the Hornets five of Al Jefferson, Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams, and PJ Hairston on paper. Butler was even the star of the game.

However they can’t play all the minutes. While the Bulls could slide in Joakim Noah and get some shooting from Doug McDermott, the Hornets could launch whole waves of fresh and capable subs. Jeremy Lamb (20 points), Jeremy Lin (15 points), and Spencer Hawes (13 points) left their mark from the three point line mostly. Cody Zeller offered some energy on defense before Noah broke his nose in the second quarter.

Coach Steve Clifford felt perfectly comfortable leaving the second unit on the court for great lengths of time, sometimes with Williams or Batum out there. They responded by building the margin that ultimately beat the Bulls.

Next: Hustle