Charlotte Hornets tip-off the 2017-18 season on the road against the Detroit Pistons
The Charlotte Hornets start the 2017-2018 season on Wednesday in Detroit. They’ll be a bit shorthanded without Nic Batum and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Can the Hornets overcome that and start the season 1-0?
Finally, the NBA regular season is back. Although injuries have put a bit of a damper on the Charlotte Hornets‘ initial outlook, there’s still reason to be excited. The going won’t be easy, however, as they face a formidable Detroit Pistons team for the first ever regular season game in the new Little Ceasar’s Arena.
The Hornets are looking to improve on a disappointing 2016-2017 campaign, where they finished 36-46. They missed the playoffs despite having an All-Star on their roster for the first time since 2010. They look to have an easier go of things this time around with the additions of Dwight Howard and rookie Malik Monk. Injuries to key players, however, will prove to be challenging.
Detroit is also coming off a disappointing season where they finished 37-45. Though they had similar records, the Hornets shouldn’t take the Pistons lightly. Detroit had six players who averaged double figures in points per game last year. Two of those players are now on different teams, however.
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Charlotte Hornets @ Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. EST, Wednesday, October 18th, 2017
Little Ceasar’s Arena
Broadcast on FOX Sports Southeast
Injury Report:
CHA:
Nicolas Batum – Left Elbow
Michael Kidd Gilchrist – Personal
Michael Carter Williams – Knee
Det:
Langston Galloway – Knee
Dwight Buycks – Hip
Stanley Johnson – Back
Reggie Bullock – Suspension
Things to keep an eye on:
With two key players out, it will be interesting to see how Steve Clifford utilizes his two rookies. Will Jeremy Lamb play more time at small forward, allowing rookie Malik Monk more playing time at the two? Will Dwayne Bacon see significant time? The matchup of Dwight Howard and Andre Drummond should be fun to watch as well.
Keys to the game:
Tobias Harris was Detroit’s leading scorer last year. Though he isn’t exactly a proficient scorer, he can get hot very quickly, so Charlotte should look to clamp down on him. Andre Drummond was in the top 20 last year in personal fouls, with 2.9 a game. With Dwight Howard’s physical play, the Hornets should look to get Drummond in foul trouble early on. And, as usual, Kemba Walker will have to lead the team. If he has an off night, however, someone else will need to take over scoring duties. Perhaps Monk, Lamb, or even Frank Kaminsky can help with offensive output.
Next: Should Hornets fans have tempered expectations?
Much as been said about the new-look Hornets and the expectations that surround them. Will they live up to the hype? We’ll find out Wednesday night.