NBA: Hornets use the deep ball to sink Wizards

LaMelo Ball scored 23 with the help of four 3-point baskets and the Charlotte Hornets beat the visiting Washington Wizards 126-109 on Tuesday night.

Brandon Miller poured in 20 points and Kon Knueppel provided 15 of his 19 points in the second half as the Hornets used a strong fourth quarter to defeat Washington for the second time this season.

Sion James had 13 points off the bench, Moussa Diabate and Collin Sexton each had 12, and Miles Bridges added 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Diabate also grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds.

Knueppel ended up with five of Charlotte's 20 baskets from 3-point range. The Hornets took 50 of their 93 shots from beyond the 3-point arc.

Ball, who shot 7-for-12 from the field, supplied nine assists. Diabate made all six of his shots from the floor.

Khris Middleton led Washington with 16 points, Marvin Bagley III had 15 points off the bench, and Bilal Coulibaly and CJ McCollum both finished with 14 points. Tre Johnson's 12 points and Justin Champagnie's 10 points also helped the Wizards, who were aiming for their third victory in a five-game span.

Washington committed only six turnovers but shot 41% from the field (though some of that was offset by 18 offensive rebounds). Alex Sarr had 11 total rebounds. Washington was hurt by Kyshawn George's 1-for-9 mark from the floor in 31 minutes.

The Hornets built a 105-96 edge as the Wizards were slow in getting untracked in the fourth quarter. Washington pulled within 105-101 but Knueppel and Miller each hit a pair of 3-pointers during Charlotte's 19-4 run.

Charlotte had plenty of late-game energy despite losing a night earlier at Cleveland.

The Wizards led 65-62 at halftime, boosted by 47% shooting from the field compared to Charlotte's 40%. Reserves had 36 of Washington's points.

Coulibaly was back in action after missing Sunday's loss to San Antonio with an ailing ankle. — Field Level Media/Reuters