CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Beating the Houston Rockets is impressive. Never trailing was even more impressive for the Charlotte Hornets.
In arguably their best home victory of the season, the Hornets pulled out to a 20-0 lead and never lost the edge in a 108-99 victory Saturday at Spectrum Center.
Devonte Graham put this one away with a 3-pointer with just under a minute remaining. Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 24 points, making 6 of 9 3-pointers. Graham added 23 points and P.J. Washington chipped in 22.
The Rockets got a triple-double from James Harden with 30 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. However, Harden also had 10 turnovers and was 2 of 11 from 3-point range.
It's no secret the Hornets' defense has improved the last few weeks. There's no better indicator of that than the 15 Rockets turnovers in the first half, resulting in 18 Charlotte points. Those turnovers led to an 8-to-2 advantage in Hornets fast-break points. The Hornets holding Houston scoreless for the first 6 { minutes, to take a 20-0 lead, was as surprising and positive as any stretch for Charlotte this season.
