For the final time this season, the Charlotte Hornets and the Chicago Bulls will face off as both teams look to make a late playoff push.
The Charlotte Hornets (29-37) are set to take on the Chicago Bulls (31-35) in an important game for the Eastern Conference playoff race. Steve Clifford’s side is coming off of a disappointing overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last time out. Charlotte’s losing ground in their hunt for the postseason as they only have a 13.3% chance of finishing in a top-eight seed.
In their last game, the Bulls put together one of their worst performances of the season against the Boston Celtics. Not only will this be the second half of a back to back but Chicago has also dropped five consecutive games and six of their last seven in total. The strange thing is that their last two victories have come against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.
The Hornets and the Bulls have split their two previous meetings this season with each side coming out on top at home. Charlotte has won four straight matches in the Queen City against Chicago with their last home loss coming in 2014. This will be the third and final matchup between the two teams as the Hornets look to take the season series for the second year in a row.
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Charlotte Hornets vs Chicago Bulls
7:00 p.m. EST, Monday, March 13th,2017
Spectrum Center
Broadcast on FOX Sports Southeast
Injury Report:
CHA:
Miles Plumlee (Calf Strain) – OUT
Ramon Sessions (Knee Surgery) – OUT
Johnny O’Bryant (Sprained Ankle) – OUT
Frank Kaminsky (AC Joint Sprain) – QUESTIONABLE
Nicolas Batum (Migraine) – QUESTIONABLE
CHI:
None.
Biggest Story:
Playoff Picture
Both the Hornets and the Bulls are currently on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Chicago sits in the 10th seed as they are a mere two games ahead of Charlotte who mans the 11th spot. They are each fighting for one of the final postseason spots in the East with only about a month left in the season.
This game could go a long way in the playoff race, especially for the Hornets. Charlotte can’t afford to lose many more games as their postseason hopes are already wearing thin. As for Chicago, they are in the same position and their current losing streak isn’t helping their cause.
Matchup to Watch:
Kemba Walker vs Jimmy Butler
This has proven to be one of the best star versus star matchups so far this season. Kemba’s averaging 27.0 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 52.8% from the field and 72.7% from three against the Bulls this year. On the other hand, Jimmy G Buckets is averaging 39.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 5.0 APG against the Hornets this season.
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The play of these two all-stars will surely dictate the flow and outcome of this one. Butler scored 52 points in their last meeting while Walker put up 34 points. Expect another scoring battle between them.