Game 26: A 116–103 win over the Thunder… featuring Triple C’s Baby Maker IPA
Wait, what? The Baby Maker ushers in just the second road win of the year… at… OKC? Okay, now I’m lost. What is this team?
After losing seven of eight and the last two games in particular (at home to Chicago and LA), I had zero hope going into Monday night’s game at Oklahoma City.
We entered the game 1–10 on the road, with the only win coming back in October against Memphis. Since then? Eight straight losses away from the Hive. We had no chance against Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and a returning Paul George. No chance at all.
Oh, no, wait… we won by thirteen.
I’m so confused.
Westbrook had 30 points, George had 20, and Carmelo had 11, but a ridiculous team effort from the Purple and Teal put Charlotte ahead midway through the third quarter and they’d never let up, rocking OKC at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 116–103.
The Hornets put up 40 in the third quarter. 40 points. On the road. Against OKC. Even with their recent struggles, that’s like finding a unicorn in a magical kingdom of lollipops and sunshine that’s willing to teach you Italian.
I’ve got nothing… even Treveon Graham had 12 points! Who knows what happened on Monday night. The world must’ve spun off its axis or something for the final 18 minutes of this game. Just wonderful.
Dwight led the way with 23, Kemba had 19, Marvin 18, and MKG put in 17, so the starters really earned that “Player of the Game” nod.
This brings us back to the subtitle of this post… what on earth, Hornets? We can lose twice to the 4–20 Bulls and win on the road against OKC? We can beat a hot Minnesota team by 16 and then lose to Jordan Clarkson’s Lakers? I just don’t know what to expect on a nightly basis from the 10–16 Charlotte ballclub, and that’s equal parts exciting and infuriating.
I want to think that this’ll continue on Wednesday when Buzz City travels to Houston, that we’ll win with a combination of Dwight inside, Kemba being Kemba, good-enough shooting from the rest of the crew, and stingy defense… but I just have no flipping idea anymore.
Well, at least they’re not boring.
Another thing that’s not boring: your first ultrasound with baby number two.
Goodness gracious, that’s a little nugget with flippers.
Yes, Mrs. Wakefield and I have been trying to give Lil Wakes a little sibling for a few years now, and we finally figured it all out. Our first trip to the doctor was Monday afternoon before the OKC game, and yes, all things are healthy and all signs are good. 170 bpm heartbeat, 8.5 weeks along, about the size of a grape, due date in mid-July… perfect for an NBA offseason baby.
So of course, I had to follow the appointment up with Triple C Brewing’s Baby Maker Double IPA. (There’s the connection, I swear I wasn’t just dropping baby news on a beer/basketball blog without a reason.)
Here’s how they describe the beast: “Ready to take it to the next level? This Double IPA is fueled by hop flavor and aroma with enough bitterness to back the big malt body. Enjoy responsibly, this one’s aptly named.”
Untappd lists the Hop Drop ’n’ Roll as a similar beer to the Baby Maker, but while I didn’t love that one, I actually enjoyed the “bitterness to back the big malt body” of the Baby Maker. It’s plenty hoppy, as that double IPA probably indicates (again, I’m no beer expert), but it’s not undrinkable. It’s got a sweet, pine flavor, and for an 8.5% abv, it’s almost too good. I’d get drunk off these in a hurry.
That said, the IPA isn’t my thing on a regular occasion, so while it’s probably my favorite of the bunch so far, I’m not going to personally give it a top tier rating. I’ll give it a solid 7 Muggsys out of 10, and near the top of that range.
Next up for the Hornets: that trip to Houston to face the 21–4 Rockets. With Chris Paul in the lineup, they’re 11–0, and he’s likely playing on Wednesday. Yeah. That should go well.
That said, based on this win and the ridiculousness of the Hornets season so far, we’ll probably win by 60. Either that, or the Baby Maker is still talking right now… Buzzzzzzz.
