Charlotte Hornets player grades from double-digit win over Cavs

The Charlotte Hornets came alive in the final 12 minutes to take over the game and secure the win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, 123-112.

The game was tight throughout as the teams traded buckets through the first three quarters before the Hornets caught fire in the fourth.

Miles Bridges led the way with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals after coming alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 points in the final frame.

Kelly Oubre Jr. added 25 points off the bench on 9-of-13 shooting.

LaMelo Ball finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals while Gordon Hayward scored 21 points and dished 9 assists.

Check out the individual player grades below.

LaMelo Ball: B

LaMelo’s stats didn’t jump off the boxscore after Friday’s victory but the sophomore guard was efficient and controlled the pace of play. With scoring performances from Miles Bridges, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Gordon Hayward, Ball didn’t have to take over the game with the ball in his hands.

With nights like that from his teammates, that makes Ball, and the Hornets, that much more of a threat going forward.

Gordon Hayward: A-

Hayward really controlled the game for the Hornets on Friday, scoring 21 points but also dishing out 9 assists with a team-high +/- of +21. When Hayward is able to both score at a high clip but also help facilitate the offense alongside LaMelo, Charlotte will be a tough offense to stop.

Miles Bridges: A+

Miles Bridges was fantastic on Friday as he showcased that next step that everyone is looking for him to take. Scoring 30 points, which included 14 in the fourth quarter, and hitting 4-of-9 from 3-point range, helped lead the Hornets to victory.

If this is the kind of leap that Bridges makes this season, he’s in for a big pay day come next summer.

Mason Plumlee: B

Mason Plumlee dominated the glass on Friday with 14 rebounds, which was a game-high. Plumlee isn’t much of a scoring threat for the Hornets but being able to man the glass and help facilitate offense out of the most is what Charlotte needs from him the most on a game-to-game basis.

Kelly Oubre Jr.: A+

Oubre scored 25 points off the Charlotte bench after moving back to his normal role with Terry Rozier back int he lineup, shooting an efficient 9-of-13 from the field and 4-of-7 from downtown. If this is the kind of production that James Borrego can expect from Kelly Oubre Jr. as the sixth man, the Hornets are in a good place.

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