National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Orleans 98, Charlotte 95
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 29, 2012
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Officials: #19 James Capers, #72 J.T. Orr, #40 Leon Wood
Attendance: 18110

Hornets 98, Bobcats 95: Eric Gordon highlighted his season debut by scoring 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and Ryan Anderson added 19 as visiting New Orleans overcame a 21-point deficit to hand Charlotte its 18th straight defeat.

Gordon appeared in just his 10th game since being acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Chris Paul trade due to recurring issues with his right knee. He made the most of his 25 minutes by shooting 5-of-13 from the field. Gordon and Anderson combined for five 3-pointers and scored 20 of New Orleans' 25 points in the fourth. The duo's biggest shots were a pair of 3-pointers in a span of 66 seconds that gave the Hornets an 85-81 lead with 4:41 to play.

Greivis Vasquez added 16 points and Roger Mason had four 3-pointers as the Hornets won for just the second time in 14 games.

Rookie Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half, including 12 in the second quarter as the Bobcats squandered their largest lead of the season. Gerald Henderson added 19 points and Kemba Walker chipped in 15 for Charlotte, which has not won since Nov. 24

Even with the complete collapse, the Bobcats had chances to win down the stretch as they were within three at 98-95 after Hakim Warrick's layup with 12.9 seconds left. After Gordon fumbled an inbound pass from Anthony Davis, the Bobcats missed two chances to force overtime and officially lost again when Henderson missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kidd-Gilchrist played the second half with protective goggles. He briefly went to the locker room with a right eye contusion following a scramble for a loose ball late in the first half. ... Charlotte has had just two 20-point leads this season. The other instance occurred late in the fourth quarter of a home win over Washington. ... Gordon has six games with at least 20 points as a member of the Hornets.
Top Game Performances
 
New Orleans   Charlotte
Eric Gordon 24 Scoring Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 22
Greivis Vasquez 8 Assists Kemba Walker 9
Anthony Davis 10 Rebounds Hakim Warrick 10
Eric Gordon 12 Free Throws Made Gerald Henderson 5
Greivis Vasquez 4 Steals Kemba Walker 2
Robin Lopez 4 Blocks Bismack Biyombo 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
New Orleans 98 42.7 11-24 17-23 24 38 9 10 15
Charlotte 95 49.4 4-10 13-20 27 42 7 8 16
Upcoming Games
  • Charlotte will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Hornets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • New Orleans will play their next game at home against Atlanta. The Pelicans have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.