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Buzz City Beat: Westbrook vs Charlotte Hornets, Late Game Struggles Defined Season

By Jerry Stephens

Jan 4, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) prepares to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) prepares to pass the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during the first half of the game at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Welcome to Buzz City Beat, a daily roundup of the latest and best news and stories from around the web about the Charlotte Hornets.

After winning their last two outings, the Charlotte Hornets will look to continue their playoff push as they hit the road to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. In this edition of Buzz City Beat, we look at containing Russell Westbrook, how late-game struggles have defined their season and streaking at the right time.

Russell Westbrook’s Triple-Double Quest Against Charlotte (Chris Kroeger/ Twitter)

"Russell Westbrook has #NBA best 39 triple-doubles. @Hornets 1 of 2 teams to not allow triple-double in his career."

Westbrook has a jaw-dropping 76 triple-doubles in his career. Not one has come against Charlotte. The only other NBA team to not allow Russell to get his infamous triple-double is the Chicago Bulls. The MVP-candidate is averaging a triple-double this season and he will be looking to notch one against the Hornets for the first time in his career as they face off in OKC.

With Westbrook’s skill set, it is only a matter of time before he gets a triple-double against Charlotte but the longer he goes without one against them, the better the story gets. For whatever reason, the Hornets have done a pretty good job of limiting Russell throughout his career in terms of triple-doubles but he is averaging 19.2 points per game against them.

Crunch Time Struggles Have Defined the Hornets (16WinsARings.com)

"The Hornets have a better point differential than seven playoff teams. However, they’ll likely miss the postseason because of their ineptitude late in games."

It is no secret that Charlotte’s struggled mightily late in games this season. After having a 22-20 record in games that featured clutch situations (five-point game with under five minutes left) last season, the Hornets have fallen off this year and are only 22-27. (NBA.com) Not only are they losing more close games but they are doing so because of their defense.

Steve Clifford’s side is struggling to slow down the opponents best player late in games. Max Seng breaks that down and how even a player like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has caught fire against the Hornets in clutch time. Charlotte’s struggle to win in winning time has been the story of their disappointing season.

Streaking at the Right Time (AtTheHive.com)

"Just when it seemed like the Charlotte Hornets season was going to end in a slow, painful and disheartening fashion and that Kemba Walker and Co. were headed to the lottery– a feeling that is all too familiar to this franchise–the Hornets got hot."

Next: Kemba Trying to Carry Hornets Into Playoffs

In terms of a late postseason push, the Hornets are streaking at the right time but many would argue that if they would’ve gotten hot much earlier, they wouldn’t need a late playoff push. With where the team sits now, they will need every win they can get and will likely have to win out in order to make the playoffs. Charlotte might have just barely enough time to sneak into the postseason.

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