Hornets’ dynamic backcourt duo strikes again, leads Charlotte to OT win over Pistons

It’s been years since a Charlotte Hornets duo could rival some of the league’s best on NBA Jam.

But with backcourt duo Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball pouring in a combined 73 points against Detroit on Thursday night, becoming the first tandem in Hornets’ history to score 35 points each in the same game, Charlotte’s franchise cornerstones are heating up at the right time.

And Miller is on board, insisting the T-shirts be printed.

“Of course, we’d look great on an NBA Jam shirt,” Miller said with a smile. “Where’s the shirt at? Let me get that. It’s going to be a scary duo. I’ve been saying it, and we’re looking for some more wins.”

On the night before his 22nd birthday, Miller thwarted any talks of his sophomore slump, lighting up the box score with a career-best 38 points and eight 3-pointers in Charlotte’s thrilling 123-121 overtime victory against Detroit.

“I think just my teammates encouraging me to be more aggressive,” Miller said of his late game takeover. “LaMelo (Ball) fouled out at the end, and I think it was just an opportunity to be more aggressive. I think as a competitor and as a winning teammate, we want to do everything to go out there for 48 minutes and win the ball game. I honestly didn’t know tonight was my career high. I was just playing basketball and going out there looking to win a ball game in front of a great home crowd tonight.”

Miller was again the hero against the Pistons, following up his recent game-winner with a career night and eight of Charlotte’s 14 overtime points, including a straight-away 3-pointer to put the Hornets ahead for good. But in a game where Miller and Ball toggled back and forth for much of the action, combining for 12 three-pointers and 60% of the team’s points, the second-year wing shouldered the load in overtime with Ball sidelined for all but one second of the extra period.

LaMelo Ball dazzels, fouls out again

After being benched for the final 3:48 of Charlotte’s one-point loss in Brooklyn on Tuesday night, Ball again found himself sidelined in the final moments of action on Thursday, but it wasn’t due to Miller’s hot hand.

With Hornets coach Charles Lee making headlines for benching Charlotte’s lone max player just two nights earlier, Ball wasn’t focused on redemption.

“I had some talks with my coach, but like I said, that’s between me and him,” Ball said. “We talked about it, we all got it now and it’s all good.”

Ball propelled the Hornets to a 20-point lead, pushing the pace and dishing nine assists, totaling 35 points in less than 33 minutes of action. But it was a trio of early fouls that resulted in the Pistons hunting Ball for much of the second half, walking the Hornets down and nearly stealing a win.

“We’re learning each other. It’s my first year working with him, but I have so much trust in him,” Lee said of Ball’s foul trouble. “He drives a lot of what we do offensively. As he accumulates fouls, I’m reminding him of how many fouls he has, and you still need to compete, close the gap and be mindful of swipe downs.”

Ball picked up three fouls in as many minutes late in the first quarter, forcing the superstar to the bench yet again. And after returning to the action and pouring in 28 points in the final three quarters, Ball picked up his fifth foul on a successful Detroit challenge with just more than three minutes to play. Although he stayed on the court and hit the equalizer with less than 30 seconds left in regulation, Ball saw just one second of action in overtime, picking up his sixth foul and fouling out for the fourth time this season.

“It’s just being smart. I had like three silly (fouls). I’ve got to lock in on that,” Ball told the media after the game.

Ball and Miller ‘a scary duo’

Despite the injury and foul troubles that have plagued Charlotte early this season, it’s becoming clear that Ball and Miller’s games are complementary.

Whether it’s taking turns initiating the offense, screening and flashing to the 3-point line, or cutting to the hole for an alley-oop slam, the duo is forcing opponents to pick their poison.

“I think it opens up a lot to our game. Having the ability to have ‘Melo come off the ball and me come off the ball, I think it can create confusion for the defense because you’ve got two good shooters, but you can only pick one of them,” Miller said.

In their best performance sharing the floor, Ball and Miller combined for 73 points, 13 assists, 13 rebounds and five steals, all while shooting 50% from the field, 46% from three and 87% from the free throw line.

“Brandon definitely stepped up and I feel like that’s why we got the win. He stepped up big in overtime. We need those type of performances,” Ball said. “Like I said, every win matters. So just him stepping up to the plate and doing what we needed was big.”