The Hornets must overcome the Nets to win their fourth straight game
The Charlotte Hornets are off to a nice start after the All-Star break defeating the Chicago Bulls 103-93. Malik Monk led all Hornets in scoring with 25 points closely followed by Miles Bridges who scored 22. The Hornets (19-36) sit 4.5 games behind the final playoff spot in the east. The Brooklyn Nets (25-29) sit seventh in the east and look to stop the Hornets one game shy of their longest win streak this season. Charlotte has won three consecutive games three separate times this season, but have yet to get that fourth win. They want to change that tonight.
Last Meeting
The most recent matchup between the Nets and Hornets on December 11 was a memorable one. The Hornets were on the road and were able to erase a 20-point deficit, eventually winning 113-108.
Devonte’ Graham scored a career-high 40 points and shot 58% from three. This stands as the Hornet’s largest comeback victory of the season.
Scouting the Nets
The Nets are also on a hot streak winning four of their last six. In that span they are 12th in offensive rating and second in defensive rating. Star point guard Kyrie Irving hasn’t played since February 1 and was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season on Thursday.
In his absence, Chris LaVert (21.6ppg; 47% from three), Spencer Dinwiddie (18.4ppg) and Joe Harris (16ppg; 43% from three) have all shined offensively.
Kyrie Irving not playing against the Hornets tonight isn’t relieving if you’re a Hornets fan. Brooklyn has a better win percentage without Kyrie (17-17) than they do with him on the floor (8-12).
Final Thoughts
Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller will have their hands full in the paint tonight. Players like Jared Allen and DeAndre Jordan has helped the Nets sit second in the NBA in rebounding percentage (59%) during their 4-2 stretch. The Battle of the Boards will be an essential part of tonight’s season finale between Brooklyn and Charlotte (Nets lead series 2-1).
The Nets are struggling on the road but the Hornets are struggling even more at home. Brooklyn has lost four of their last 5 road games, but the Hornets have dropped eight of their last nine games at Spectrum Center.
The last time the Hornets and Nets faced-off Devonte’ Graham scored a career-high 40 points. Today is Graham’s birthday, I would love to see him give himself a birthday present by dropping a new career-high.
If the Hornets win tonight it would mark their first four-game winning streak in nearly a year (April 3-9, 2019).