Hornets rally to even season series against Wizards with 114-107 win

The aggressive play that head coach James Borrego called for was evident in the first-quarter. It was a different story in the second as the Hornets allowed the Wizards to climb back from a lead that was as much as 15 points during the first half. Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans led all scorers with 11-points apiece. Cody Zeller, PJ Washington and Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 10-points apiece.

At the half, the Hornets held on to a 53-48 lead.

During a tightly contested second half, anchored by Devonte' Graham's team-high 29 points and six assists, the Hornets made several good defensive stands. The Hornet's strategy to defend Washington's Bradley Beal made it tough for the Wizards to continue the shooting spree that erupted in the third quarter. Beal was held to 16 points. "I thought we did a great job on him," Borrego said. "Made him work for everything, denied him, disrupted him."

The late fourth quarter defensive efforts resulted in the offensive opportunities that clinched the game for the Hornets. Perhaps the biggest one being the 3-pointer from the corner by Miles Bridges with 7.7 seconds left in the game. The score put Charlotte in front 112-107. Charlotte head coach James Borrego expressed his pleasure with Graham's recent efforts.

With Tuesday night's win the Hornets improved to 10-16.

The Hornets now travel to Brooklyn, Chicago and Indiana before returning home to face Sacramento Dec. 17.