Hornets reporter Rod Boone delivers content you can't get anywhere else, from deep-dive analysis of the young core to the latest locker room buzz. A Charlotte Observer subscription gives you the best access to breaking news and exclusive player interviews. By DIAMOND VENCES
Living out of a suitcase hasn’t been the worst of things for these Charlotte Hornets.
They’ve more than held their own on the road and that could prove to be a beneficial trait come April when trying to fight their way into the playoff field to end the NBA’s longest current postseason drought.
By dispatching the Sacramento Kings 117-109 at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday night, courtesy of a balanced attack headlined by LaMelo Ball’s 29 points, the Hornets kept their good times on the road going.
Victories in 12 of their last 13 contests away from home, including successive wins in the Pacific time zone thanks to Monday’s triumph in Portland, has them feeling slightly giddy.
“It’s been a good road trip so far,” coach Charles Lee said. “I think we’ve gotten better as the road trip has gone on.”
Just ponder some of the road accomplishments the Hornets (34-33) have already notched this season.
At the very top of that list sits the franchise-record streak of victories on the road, which came to a halt at 10 in Phoenix on Sunday during the first game of their current trek on the other side of the Mississippi River. It’s one of only 19 road winning streaks of at least 10 games in the NBA since 2010.
LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets and Daeqwon Plowden of the Sacramento Kings watch the ball after Ball’s shot during Wednesday’s first half at Golden 1 Center. Ezra Shaw Getty Images
The Hornets’ average margin of victory during that stretch was 18.6 points, and in January they tied an NBA record for highest point differential in road wins in any month in NBA history at plus-158. Overall, they are 20-16 on the road and can clinch at least a .500 road record this season with one more victory.
When the Hornets have it going and everyone is contributing in particular on offense — like what happened against Sacramento when Miles Bridges (26 points), Kon Knueppel (24) and Brandon Miller (20) all topped 20 points — they are a tough out.
“Such a balance, which was really good to see,” Lee said. “And each one kind of had a pocket during the game when we really needed them. They in a flurry were able to score some buckets. They all just play so well off each other.
“Really proud of the effort we got from all of our starters.”
Here’s what else of note the Hornets had to say in Sacramento:
On when to start discussing developing a postseason mentality
“We are just talking about finding consistency with our habits,” Lee said. “All these games feel like they have a little bit more intensity to them, they have a little bit more meaning. They have a little bit more physicality to them and so every game we are almost looking at it as a postseason game.
“And you’ve got to develop your habits now because that time of the year, it’s for the prepared. That’s not the time to start preparing for things. And so our guys are trying to find that next level even right now during the regular season.”
Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets is fouled by DeMar DeRozan of the Sacramento Kings during the first half at Golden 1 Center. Ezra Shaw Getty Images
On the value of winning ugly at times
“You can’t take any win in this league for granted,” Lee said. “They are all really hard to come by. The talent level is at a really good level right now in the league, the coaching and the schematics are really high. So it’s important that you cherish every victory, you find positives.
“Our group, they’ve continued to develop the right habits. They’ve really locked in and focused in on trying to use their energy for each other. Whether it be communication, whether it be defensive execution (or) offensively playing together.”
On what specifically the Hornets wanted to improve upon
“Being able to fill up your cup and come in with the right mindset physically and mentally,” Lee said. “We have other habits that we have to get better at. Our communication level, our ability to execute when physicality starts to rise, when the game gets a little tighter, we can keep getting better there as well.”
Head coach Charles Lee of the Charlotte Hornets stands on the side of the court during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Ezra Shaw Getty Images
On where Ryan Kalkbrenner has shown growth
“Physicality,” Lee said. “He is doing it and sustaining it for longer periods, longer stretches. He’s putting together a great stretch of games where you are feeling his impact defensively. He’s blocking shots, he’s impacting the boards. His communication level in coverages has been great. We’ve actually been able to switch with him a little bit and have him in center field.
“His versatility is helping not only himself but our team. … Our guys continue to trust him around the basket because he has such great hands, and he also makes really good season reads for some kick-out threes as well.”
word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word