It’s the last game of the year and the Charlotte Hornets aren’t exactly where they thought they’d be when the season started. Still, with one game left, the team would like to end the season with a win against their I-85 rival.
Well, here we are. Seems like yesterday that the season started. The Charlotte Hornets (36-45) were the talk of the town and right up there with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the standings. It looked like the Hornets were starting to fulfill their potential.
Fast forward to today and we all know that things didn’t work out quite the way we all thought. Yet, there is still basketball that needs to be played. Their last is tonight against the Atlanta Hawks (42-38). Charlotte is 3-0 this season against Atlanta. Their last game was on March 20th in the Spectrum Center. Charlotte won that game 105-90. Dennis Schroeder led the way for the Hawks with 20 points. Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum both had 16 for the Hornets.
Steve Clifford’s side will be looking to end the regular season on a high note. A win won’t mean much and it will be difficult without their star in Kemba Walker but it is a chance for the young guys to get some more minutes.
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Charlotte Hornets @ Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. EST, Tuesday, April 11th, 2017
Philips Arena
Broadcast on FOX Sports Southeast
Injury Report:
CHA:
Kemba Walker (Out) – Knee
Johnny O’Bryant (Out) – Ankle Sprain
Marco Belinelli (Questionable) – Left Index Finger
ATL:
Thabo Sefalosha (Questionable) – Groin
Paul Millsap (Probable) – Knee
Kent Bazemore (Probable) – Knee
Malcolm Delaney (Questionable) – Back
Things to keep an eye on:
Paul Millsap did not play in the last game against the Hornets. That certainly helped Charlotte to snag their third win in a row against the Hawks. It will be interesting to see if Atlanta decides to rest some of their players tonight, including Millsap, who is nursing a knee injury.
Given that they’re firmly in the playoffs, getting some much-needed rest for a team that is pretty banged up would be nice for them. The Hawks aren’t cemented into their spot, however, so their final seeding is still up in the air. They may want to boost their chances at snagging the 5th seed with two games left.
Keys to the game:
Charlotte will be without their leader for the second straight game. So, it will be up to Nic Batum, Frank Kaminsky, and Cody Zeller to take control. The Hornets already have a winning formula against the Hawks this season, but Kemba played in those games. They will have to adjust without him and step up in his place.
Next: Kemba Wants Blake Griffin in Free Agency
This hasn’t been the storybook season that some thought would happen for the Hornets. Nevertheless, sweeping the season series against their rival would help somewhat soften the blow of a disappointing year.