NBA Gordon Hayward already wins games for the Hornets
AFP
El eaves Gordon Hayward saw as the base Kyrie Irving He left the Boston Celtics for the Brooklyn Nets, something he didn’t like when he was his teammate on the same team.
Now both out of the Celtics, Hayward signed as a free agent with the Hornets, had his personal revenge by contributing 28 points, seven assists and six rebounds that helped his new team beat this Sunday by 106-104 to the Nets Irving, who lost the first game of the new season.
The base Terry Rozier added 19 points, including two decisive free throws and power forward PJ Washington had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds with the Hornets (1-2), who limited the Nets (2-1) to just 42.7% of their field goals.
The star forward Kevin Durant leads the Nets with 29 points and Irving contributed 25 points.
Tonights @Sprite Player of the Game is @gordonhayward!#AllFlypic.twitter.com/H0zzomijam
? Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 28, 2020
Hayward, who arrived in a trade after signing this preseason with Boston, contributed in all aspects. Encest 12 of 20 field goalsHe assisted his teammates by allowing good shooting opportunities with his great playmaking skills and helped the Hornets rid themselves of potential bad possessions.
It appeared the Hornets had extended their lead into the fourth quarter with seven points from Hayward. But the difference of 16 points almost evaporated after Durant and Irving began to play urgently and cut the difference to 101-99 with less than two minutes left.
There goes THAT. MAN.@KyrieIrving#BrooklynTogetherpic.twitter.com/0JNXqvTBiB
? Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 28, 2020
However, with a chance to tie or take the lead, Irving’s layup shot was blocked and point guard Devonte Graham hit a triple from the corner to give Charlotte a cushion that would be enough to secure victory.
French forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot responded with a triple for the Nets, but the Brooklyn team’s chance evaporated after Washington missed two free throws.
Durant also missed an open shot with 7.4 seconds and Rozier made two free throws to leave the game by two possessions and secure the victory.
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