Charlotte Hornets Hunt for New Life After the All-Star Break, Take on Detroit

Jan 5, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 115-114. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) is defended by Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) during the fourth quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 115-114. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets limped into the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak, and they will get another opportunity to change the tide in tonight’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons.

The Charlotte Hornets (24-32) will try to turn their season around when they travel to The Palace of Auburn Hills for a matchup with the Detroit Pistons (27-30). Prior to the weeklong break, the Hornets lost 11-of-12 games, leaving them outside the playoff picture heading into the home stretch of the season. The offense has been a glaring issue during the current four-game losing streak, as the Hornets averaged 95.2 points and 43.5 percent shooting as a team over the stretch.

On the other side, Detroit posted a 6-3 record heading into the break, but are yet to put together one three-game winning streak all season. The Pistons are healthy and have a favorable schedule going into the playoffs.

Those factors set up a confident Detroit team very well for a potential playoff berth. A win tonight will give Detroit three victories over Charlotte this season and guarantee the Pistons a crucial tiebreaker over the Hornets.

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Charlotte Hornets @ Detroit Pistons

7:30 P.M. EST, Thursday, February 23rd, 2017

The Palace of Auburn Hills

Broadcast on FOX Sports Southeast

Injury Report:

CHA:

Cody Zeller (Quad) – OUT

Miles Plumlee (Righ Calf Strain) – OUT

DET:

Beno Udrih (Ankle) – OUT

Aron Baynes (Illness) – QUESTIONABLE

Biggest Story:

Frank Kaminsky’s Rising Stars Shooting

Frank Kaminsky put on a show in the Rising Stars Challenge this past weekend. The former Wisconsin Badger dropped a team-high 33 points, highlighted by a 9-of-13 performance from beyond the arc.

Kaminsky played just 19 minutes of game action but made the most of it, turning on the green light from outside immediately following the opening tip. The sophomore player put up a career-high 27 points against a strong Toronto team in the final game prior to the break, so Kaminsky’s jumper is right where it needs to be this deep in the season.

Matchup to Watch:

Tobias Harris vs Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Tobias Harris is the Pistons leading scorer on the season at 16.3 PPG, meaning  Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will be shadowing him all night. Harris has been lights-out shooting the ball this season, posting a 53.6 percent effective field goal rating this season. that places him 41st in the league in that stat.

Next: Pre-All Star Break Player Grades

On the other hand, MKG is holding opponents to 44 percent shooting this season. Something’s got to give in this field goal percentage showdown, just have to hope MKG isn’t feeling generous.