Projecting the Charlotte Hornets record in December

Coming off of a month of November in which the Charlotte Hornets finished 10-5, they look to build upon their strong record in the month of December. Out of the 12 opponents that the Hornets will face, 8 were playoff teams. Along with facing perennial Eastern Conference powers such as the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, and Toronto Raptors, the Hornets will have to square off against Western opponents such as the Clippers and the Golden State Warriors. 7 of the Hornets’ opponents are in the playoff mix as of November 30, with the Rockets and Pistons barely missing out.

Overall this seems to be a month in which the Hornets can keep some of the momentum from their home stand to end the month of November, which saw Charlotte finish 5-1. Of the 14 games the Hornets will play in December, 9 will happen at Time Warner Cable Arena, where the Hornets have only lost 2 games so far this season. My predictions for this month’s games are as follows:

Golden State Warriors at Charlotte Hornets (December 2nd)

Ah, the game that all Charlotte fans circled at the release of the schedule. The Charlotte Hornets will face Charlotte’s prodigal son, Stephen Curry, in this interconference matchup. Golden State, who are currently 16-0, will bring in their undefeated record into Charlotte. Along with the night being a homecoming for Steph, his father Dell will be honored during the game for his contributions to the original Hornets franchise, in which he is the all-time leading scorer. The first 10,000 fans who show up to TWC Arena will receive a commemorative Curry #30 Hornets shirt. Foreshadowing??? One can hope. The Hive will be alive for this special night, and being the homer I am, I project a Hornets win

More from Swarm and Sting

Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls (December 5th)

So far this season, the Hornets and Bulls have played 2 games, with the teams splitting both. The Hornets won the first matchup by 25, 130-105, for their first win of the year at TWC Arena. The Bulls avenged the loss by defeating the Hornets by 5 at the United Center. This fixture is becoming a very important one for the Eastern Conference, as the Hornets are now rivaling the Bulls in the fold of the conference. The game will fix two of, in my opinion, the best wing players in the NBA; Nic Batum and Jimmy Butler. Both of these players have had great seasons, and it will be an intriguing matchup. Although the Hornets will be riding a high off of their win against the Warriors, they will be unable to pull this one out, and lose to the Bulls.

Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets (December 7th)

Another Eastern Conference matchup, the Detroit Pistons will come to town on December 7th. This game will pit Steve Clifford, a former Van Gundy disciple, against Papa Bear Stan Van Gundy. So far this season, the Pistons have been led in scoring by former OKC man Reggie Jackson, who is averaging 20 a night. Along with Jackson, the Pistons have Andre Drummond, who has become a force on the glass, rebounding at a clip of 17 a night. Drummond’s role has been increased due to the departure of Greg Monroe to Milwaukee, and Drummond has impressed greatly. I am projecting that this game will be tight to the finish, as the Charlotte Hornets will have trouble in containing Drummond, as rebounding has been a weak spot for this team all year. I believe that the Hornets will win this game.

Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets (December 9th)

I, for one, absolutely hate the Heat with a burning passion. Nothing gives me more joy than to watch the Hornets crush Miami. As of late, my joy has been fleeting, as the Hornets have struggled against their Southeastern division foe. During the first game of the season, the Hornets lost to the Heat by 10, who were led with 21 from good old Chris Bosh. In this first game, however, the Hornets did not have to deal with Gastonia native Hassan Whiteside, whose 2K rating should be through the roof, as he is currently averaging nearly 5 blocks per contest. Whiteside was apparently disappointed that his close to hometown team didn’t give him a shot after he toiled in the D-League for a few years. Although Whiteside might be angry at the Hornets, he can’t single-handedly beat the Hornets, and that is why I am projecting a Hornets win.

Charlotte Hornets at Memphis Grizzlies (December 11th)

Although the Grizzlies have been strong in the past few years, they are currently flirting around the .500 mark in the Western Conference, and some in Memphis were beginning to grow restless of head coach Dave Joerger. Following a trade with Miami, in which the Grizzlies acquired Mario Chalmers, the Grizzlies have seemed to right the ship a little bit. The Griz has had a tough schedule so far this season, already having to endure the annual West Coast road trip, in which they lost 4 out of 5, including a 50 point defeat at the hands of the Warriors. I always have a bad feeling about games against the Grizzlies, especially following the overtime loss last December in Memphis, in which the Hornets should have won the game only to let the Griz back in due to a Vince Carter three. I am projecting a hardfought game, but a Hornets loss.

Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets (December 12th)

Following a relatively easy trip to Memphis, the Hornets will face the Boston Celtics on the second night of a back-to-back. The Celtics as well will be on the second night of a back-to-back, as they will face the Warriors on December 11th at the TD Garden. This Celtics team is led by Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging nearly 20 points a game, and Avery Bradley. These types of games are pivotal for the Hornets, and are essentially must-win. Although Boston is pretty good this year, and currently are 2nd in the Atlantic division behind Toronto, the Hornets should win this Saturday home game if they have any hopes of competing in the playoffs. Brad Stevens will bring his Celtics team to compete, but Steve Clifford is a better coach, and will have his team better prepared. The Hornets win this game.

Charlotte Hornets at Orlando Magic (December 16th)

The second game of the month between the Hornets and a Southeastern Division foe, this game is also a very winnable game for the Hornets. Although I have the utmost respect for Scott Skiles and the Magic organization, I just don’t think that their team is very good. They drafted Mario Hezonja, the Croatian wingman, in the 2015 Draft, and as most Europeans do, he is struggling so far this season. I project a Hornets win at the Amway Center.

Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets (December 17th)

Nov 20, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Recording artist Drake watches the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

In a matchup of teams partially owned by rappers (Drake and Toronto and Nelly and the Hornets), the Hornets will have a tough test in the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are extremely well-managed, and have a fantastic front office, led by Masai Ujiri, one of the best in the NBA. In my opinion, this will be the closest game in the month of December, due to the fact that the Hornets and Raptors match up very evenly. The Hotline will most certainly not bling for the Hornets at the end of 48 minutes. I project a Hornets loss to the Drake-tors, as the Hornets are coming off of a back to back.

Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards (December 19th)

Another matchup of Southeastern division foes, the Wizards and the Hornets will match up at the Verizon Center in DC. These two squads have already played once this year, which resulted in a 101-87 Hornets win. In the third quarter and into the third quarter, the Hornets went on a 25-0 run. They were the first team since the ’10 Spurs to go on a 25-0 run. The Wizards, however, have had a tough season so far, not getting as much production from John Wall. Bradley Beal has performed well for the Wiz so far, scoring nearly 20 a night. Despite the Wizards having talent, I see the Charlotte Hornets winning this game.

Charlotte Hornets at Houston Rockets (December 21st)

This is an interesting game for the Hornets, and has the possibility of either being a Hornets blowout or a Rockets blowout. As we all know, the Rockets have a lot of talent in James Harden, Ty Lawson and Dwight Howard. The Rockets have been one of the most bipolar teams in the league, and have the possibility of having a great performance or truly sucking. This could be the same Rockets team that barely beat the 76ers in late November, despite a 50 point performance from Harden. In a game that I am very torn about, and believe is a coin toss based on the Rockets current form, I project a Hornets win.

More from Hornets News

Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets (December 23rd)

This is the second time that the Hornets will face the Celtics in the month of December. As I said in the writeup for the first game, I believe Steve Clifford’s coaching ability will lead the Hornets to another win.

Memphis Grizzlies at Charlotte Hornets (December 26th)

Unlike the first game, I believe the Hornets will win this game, mainly because they are playing at home.

Los Angeles Lakers at Charlotte Hornets (December 28th)

Ah, the hapless Lakers. This matchup recently took extra importance due to it being Kobe Bryant’s last game in Charlotte. As many Hornets fans know, Kobe spurred joining the original incarnation of the Hornets when he was drafted by Charlotte. Although this game might be of extra importance to Charlotte fans to show Kobe what he missed out on, I don’t think that will weigh heavily on Kobe’s performance. He’s done, and it is sad. Being only 17, I grew up watching Kobe and admiring his play for my entire life. I still project a Hornets win. Message to Kobe: please don’t save one of your vintage performances against us. Save it for the Clippers or something.

Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Hornets (December 30th)

Oct 2, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers guard Lance Stephenson (1) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of the other Los Angeles franchise, the Clippers come into Charlotte to round out 2015. The Clippers are one of my least favorite teams, although Chris Paul, a local guy, plays for them. A la Rae Sremmurd Chris Paul could have been us, but the Bobcats front office was playin’. The Clippers are filled with washed up bums, mainly Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith. In Lance’s return to Charlotte, I’m not expecting much. Given the fact that he averages only 18 minutes a night, and is plainly not very good at the sport of basketball, I expect Lance to be his average mediocre self. He, and the rest of his Clippers teammates blow. Although I’ll always have a soft spot for JJ Redick in my heart for breaking Tar Heels fans hearts’, he is still a loser. I strongly believe that the Clippers will read this article and have extra motivation to beat the Hornets, and I predict that the Charlotte Hornets will lose.

My projection for the month of December:
Hornets go 10-4 for the month, bringing their total record to 20-11.

Next: Charlotte Hornets' Need For a Superstar

Call me a homer, but I see this as a real possibility for the Charlotte Hornets. Comment below and hit me up on Twitter with your projections for the month, my username @connor_penegar. As always, I’m welcome to criticism or praise.