The China Mail - Hornets hold off Wemby's Spurs for sixth NBA win in a row

Miller, taken just behind Spurs top pick Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft, helped the hosts hold on after San Antonio sliced their 20-point lead to 106-104 with 97 seconds remaining.

After Wembanyama missed a potential tying three-pointer, Miller sank two free throws -- running his streak of made shots from the line to 38 -- with 10.6 seconds remaining to create the final margin of victory.

"Got to take my hat off to them. Very competitive players," Miller said of the Spurs' fightback.

"Everybody came out with the mindset of competing at the highest level and making every winning play they can and that's how we got the win.

"Competitive spirit. We have that in our mind each day. We're not going to be the biggest but we can be the most physical, the most prepared. We were prepared for this win."

Miller had his 10th game in a row with 20 or more points while Collin Sexton added 21 off the bench and Charlotte had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists from LaMelo Ball.

Charlotte's win streak is the club's longest since March 2016 and Miller said confidence is a major reason for the boost in his performance.

"Just playing with that confidence," he said. "I think everybody in this building trusts me. All I can do is just put my trust back into them, to get me the right shots every game, be in the right position on defense and also about making the winning plays."

Spurs reserve Dylan Harper scored 20 points. French All-Star Wembanyama had 16 points and eight rebounds while Stephon Castle added 16 points and nine assists.

P.Deng--ThChM