The Associated Press called the Ball trade "a widely unpopular decision in Charlotte," and the crowd of 19,524 made that clear. The Hornets were booed loudly walking off at halftime, down 25. The boos got louder in the third quarter, and Atlanta's lead reached 49 in the fourth.
This was a 44-win team last season. Against Atlanta, it shot 34% from the field, went 11 for 51 from 3-point range and turned the ball over 27 times. The Hawks scored 25 points off those turnovers.
Brandon Miller is the face of the new plan, and he has not started well. He signed a five-year, $209 million extension this week, a franchise record, and then went 2 for 14 with six points on Friday. He is 4 for 25 from deep in two games, per the AP. Naz Reid led Charlotte with 17.