Hornets Start West Coast Trip in Los Angeles
The Charlotte Hornets are beginning an early West Coast trip tonight in Los Angeles. The Hornets’ next two games are in the Staples Centers against two teams who are projected to be in the NBA Playoffs.
The Hornets split their first two home games beating the Chicago Bulls 126-125 on Wednesday night and losing Friday to the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-99. The Hornets will have a tough test on the road. Following tonight’s game against the Lakers, the Hornets’ next three games are against the Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors.
Tonight the Hornets will face off against LeBron James and the newly-acquired Anthony Davis. Davis is averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds in two games and James is averaging 25 points, 8.5 rebounds and 9 assists. Danny Green is averaging 18.5 points per game thus far.
Los Angeles is 1-1 to start the season after beating the Utah Jazz at home on Friday. Kyle Kuzma is not expected to play with a left ankle stress reaction and Rajon Rondo is questionable for tonight’s matchup.
The Hornets got off to a hot start early on Friday, but foul trouble and turnovers helped Minnesota pull away. After halftime the Hornets could not find rhythm offensively and it reflected on the scoreboard. Devonte’ Graham has outperformed Terry Rozier at the Point Guard position and I will not be surprised if we see Graham in the starting lineup at some point during the road trip. Cody Zeller was out Friday night due to personal reasons. If Zeller remains out during the West Coast trip you will see the Hornets struggle defensively inside much like they did against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves.
The Hornets showed promise in their first game against the Bulls and then quickly faltered two nights later. If foul trouble and turnovers continue to plague this team, we can see them coming back to the Spectrum Center 2-4 or 1-5.
On The Road Early
The last time the Hornets played a road game on the West Coast this early in the season was in 1989. They traveled to Seattle for their second game of the year.
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