Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball gets first career start

Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball will get his first NBA start Monday in a road game against the Miami Heat. The 19-year-old, who was the third overall draft pick in the most recent draft, is getting the opportunity with Terry Rozier out because of a sprained right ankle. It has been an up-and-down start to his NBA career for Ball, whose older brother Lonzo plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. LaMelo Ball, a 6-foot-6 guard, has averaged 12.2 points per game with 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists. https://twitter.com/hornets/status/1356701655312592896 His previous best was 22 points, done twice, but since the second time he hit that number he had five games in single digits, including a four-point game Jan. 13 against the Dallas Mavericks when he shot 2-for-8 from the field and 0-for-4 from 3-point range. LaMelo Ball has averaged 11.7 points in 10 road games this season and 12.6 points in 10 home games for the Hornets (9-11).