Cameron Johnson racked up a season-high 34 points with a strong shooting effort from long range as Brooklyn captured a topsy-turvy game against visiting Charlotte, winning 116-115 on Wednesday night in New York.
Johnson made six 3-point baskets on 12 attempts as part of 11-for-20 shooting from the field. Jalen Wilson made five 3s to finish with 17 points.
Down by three, the Hornets got possession with 5.1 seconds to play after Cody Martin blocked Trendon Watford’s shot. Charlotte’s Brandon Miller missed a 3-pointer, which was tipped in by Grant Williams to account for the final score.
Brooklyn’s Dorian Finney-Smith added 15 points, Dennis Schroder posted 14 points and Ben Simmons and Watford each had 10 points.
Miller pumped in 29 points and Miles Bridges had 21 points, but the Hornets lost for the fourth time in five games. Charlotte couldn’t overcome an off night from guard LaMelo Ball, who was on the bench for most of the fourth quarter. He was limited to 12 points on 3-for-13 shooting from the field with four turnovers.
Tre Mann added 19 points off the bench, Williams had 16 points and Tidjane Salaun had 11.
Charlotte made 20 shots from 3-point range but went only 18-for-45 on two-point launches.
Johnson’s 3-pointer sent the Nets into the lead at 107-106 with 4 1/2 minutes to play. They led the rest of the way, with Watford’s two free throws at the 1:48 mark a key sequence, with technical fouls assessed to Hornets coach Charles Lee and Watford.
Watford added a conventional three-point play at the 1:10 mark and also scored Brooklyn’s next basket for a 116-111 lead with 38 seconds left in regulation.
Charlotte didn’t protect a 17-point lead, which it held in the final minute of the first quarter, and found itself trailing by double digits before rallying.
The Hornets went from an 11-point hole with less than 6 1/2 minutes to play in the third quarter to carrying an 87-85 edge into the fourth. Salaun made five free throws during that burst.
–Field Level Media