Nets Cruise Past Shorthanded Hornets, Preseason Total Sails Over

Brooklyn dismantled Charlotte 124-90 in a preseason blowout that made a mockery of the under 212.5 total we backed. The final tally of 214 points sailed just past the number, and frankly, we deserved the loss on this one.

The Nets came out firing and never let up, piling up 124 points against a Hornets squad that looked every bit as compromised as advertised. Charlotte's Day-To-Day ball-handlers clearly hampered offensive flow—the Hornets managed just 90 points and appeared disjointed throughout. That part of the handicap was spot-on.

What we missed? Brooklyn's willingness to keep the foot on the gas. Instead of the typical preseason cruise control and deep-bench rotation grind that kills scoring, the Nets treated this like a tune-up they actually cared about winning. They shot the lights out and pushed pace even with the game decided by halftime. Charlotte's defensive effort evaporated as the margin ballooned, turning this into a track meet nobody asked for.

The structural preseason logic was sound—restricted minutes, compromised rosters, exhibition lethargy. But when one team decides to play with purpose and the other waves the white flag, totals can betray you fast. Brooklyn's offensive explosion was the difference between a comfortable winner and a one-point sweat we lost.