Despite a spirited rally in the fourth quarter and overtime, the Hornets fell short on Sunday to have their three-game win streak snapped by the Suns, 101-97.
Charlotte trailed by as many as 17 points early in the fourth quarter and by 13 points at the midway point of the period before storming back into the game. The Hornets scored the final eight points of regulation as Devonte’ Graham’s 3-pointer with 34.3 seconds left tied the game.
The Hornets had a chance to win on Graham’s 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left but the shot bounced off the rim, sending the contest to overtime tied at 90-90. Again, Phoenix dominated the early stages of the extra session, leading 97-92 in the final minute.
Another Graham 3-pointer with 45.8 left pulled the Hornets back within a possession before a frantic final few seconds. With Charlotte down two and Phoenix in-bounding with 8.3 seconds left, Jae Crowder’s pass was knocked away but Rozier could not come away with the ball and Chris Paul would be fouled before icing the game at the line.
Graham had 30 points for Charlotte, Rozier added 22 points and Miles Bridges had 18 off the bench. Gordon Hayward chipped in 15.
