Hornets score last 12 points to surge past Nets

Miles Bridges poured in 26 points and the Charlotte Hornets closed the game by scoring the final 12 points to rally for a 105-102 victory against the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

Nick Smith Jr. had 19 points, Moussa Diabate added 16 points and 15 rebounds and Bridges pulled in 12 rebounds, helping the Hornets snap a nine-game losing streak.

It was the first time that Charlotte won in four meetings this season. Brooklyn didn't score in the final four minutes.

D'Angelo Russell racked up 28 points for the Nets, who have lost seven straight games. Ziare Williams' 19 points, Cam Thomas' 16 and Trendon Watford's 12 also helped Brooklyn.

The Hornets used a 10-0 run to go ahead on Diabate's basket with 1:34 left. Then the Nets missed their next four shots, including Thomas' drive that was blocked by Bridges.

Smith made two free throws at the 2.3-second mark for the game's final points before another Brooklyn shot was off the mark.

Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball didn't play a night after he fouled out in 23 minutes in a one-point home loss to Cleveland. Saturday night's reason was listed as an injury management for an right ankle ailment that has kept him out of recent games. Teammate Jusuf Nurkic sat out because of neck soreness.

The Hornets used an unusual starting lineup that included Diabate and Damion Baugh, though Diabate had reached a double-double by the early portion of the third quarter.

The Nets had a better shooting percentage (46.3 to 40.8) than the Hornets. Charlotte finished with a 50-37 rebounding edge.

Charlotte outscored the Nets 33-24 in the third quarter to pull within 82-76.

The Nets built a 58-43 halftime lead, shooting 51.2 percent from the field. Brooklyn made eight first-half 3-pointers, taking 26 of their 43 shots from beyond the arc.

The Hornets checked in at 32.1 percent through the first half, including making just two of 17 attempts from 3-point range.

--Field Level Media