The Charlotte Hornets finally halted their six-game losing streak with a decisive 124-112 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Spectrum Center on Monday night, powered by a standout performance from offseason acquisition Naz Reid. With key contributors Kon Knueppel sidelined for over a month due to a re-aggravated hamstring and Brandon Miller nursing an uncertain groin strain, the Hornets leaned heavily on Reid to stabilize their offense. The move proved effective, as Reid’s presence provided the immediate boost Charlotte needed to turn their season around.
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Reid delivered a career-defining night for his new team, scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds to record his fourth double-double of the season. His efficient scoring and rim protection allowed him to tag-team the ball with Grayson Allen, creating a dynamic offensive engine that had struggled earlier in the campaign. This performance marked his fourth game with 20 or more points, signaling that the Hornets’ prized free-agent signing is beginning to translate his previous success into the Charlotte system.
Head coach Charles Lee highlighted Reid’s growing comfort with the team’s tempo, noting that the forward is learning to manage the pace when the initial offensive thrust fails to yield an advantage. “He’s getting a feel for the pace that we want to play with early in the clock,” Lee stated. “Once the ball and that initial thrust doesn’t get an advantage that we want, I think he’s just finally kind of slowing down in the right moments.” This adjustment has been critical for the 4-7 Hornets, who are now looking to build momentum off this win as they navigate a challenging stretch of the schedule.
Source: Yahoo Sports
