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Charlotte Hornets Round Table Discussion: Schedule Edition

By Jerry Stephens

Nov 7, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo waves the flag on the court prior to the start of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo waves the flag on the court prior to the start of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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2. The Hornets will open the season against the Milwaukee Bucks on the road. What do you think of that match-up? Prediction?

Jerry Stephens: The start of the season is not a cakewalk for Charlotte. They will begin the year against a young and hungry team in the Bucks. It will be even more difficult because the game will be in Milwaukee. The Hornets may have a tough time to begin the year like they did last season. It will take time for all the new players that they have to get adjusted. I think that Charlotte will get the win over the Bucks, 105-97. They will start the 2016 campaign with a victory.

Luke Spencer: Milwaukee is a tricky match-up for the Hornets. In the four games that they played them last year, the Hornets went 3-1. However the one loss was a home game in which the Hornets couldn’t handle the size and athleticism of the Bucks, and was one of the most embarrassing home losses of the season. Let’s not forget that the despite being an underwhelming team last season, the Bucks still handed the Golden State Warriors their first loss of the season last year. If they are clicking on all cylinders they are a tough match-up for any team in the NBA.

With guys like Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Monroe and Parker, the Bucks arguably have one of the most athletic line-ups currently playing. However, they are still a really young team and are still learning how to play as a cohesive unit. Usually it’s hard for most teams to find their footing at the beginning of the season, and to predict games is a toss-up unless the first match-up is against a team like the 76ers or the Nets. For example, the Oklahoma City Thunder started their season last year at 11-8 before they turned things around. I’ll go with recent match-up history and say that the Hornets will win by a close margin, but it’s a virtual toss-up.

Laieke Abebe: The Bucks played the Hornets tough despite the Hornets winning 3 of the 4 matchups. It was in Milwaukee where the Golden State Warriors lost their first of only 9 regular season losses. It’s a tough place to play and they have some great young talent. I think the Hornets find a way to win in a very close game.

Gamaliel Panuyas: Milwaukee is a scary young team. Monroe, Parker, Antetokounmpo and Middleton could hold their own ground against opposing teams. They may have “underperformed” last season but their ceiling is still high. They are a year older now and could still pose match-up problems versus the opponents.

That being said, I still see Hornets coming away with a win in this one. The presence of Hibbert and MKG further solidifies the Hornets defense and the team could always rely on Batum and Kemba for scoring. Playing the Bucks in their turf will be tough but the Hornets can win this, but with a close margin.

Max Seng: Milwaukee has a fair amount of hype heading into this season, and deservedly so with their talented roster. I’m buying big money in Bucks stock right now, even if all of their parts don’t quite fit yet (Monroe, Carter-Williams). Securing a win against a charged up young team like Milwaukee would be an ideal way to open the season. One thing that plays in Charlotte’s favor: the Bucks thrive off of creating turnovers and getting in open court, and the Hornets turned the ball over the least in the 2015-16 season.

Next: Most Anticipated Game This Season?

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