Swarm and Sting
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Why the Charlotte Hornets’ playoff push is still in full effect

By Giovanni Spillman

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a call during their game against the Denver Nuggets at Spectrum Center on October 25, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a call during their game against the Denver Nuggets at Spectrum Center on October 25, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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After a terrible loss to the Nuggets in Denver, the Charlotte Hornets still have a decent shot at making the playoffs this season.

The Charlotte Hornets fell to Denver 121-104 in convincing fashion on Monday night. The reason for such a terrible loss is due to the lack of defense on the perimeter. It seems like the Hornets have gotten lazy when defending the three-point line this season. While this is a problem, it can surely be fixed.

All season, the offense has been the center of controversy for the Charlotte Hornets. As of late, the Hornets have provided much-needed offense, as well as coming back while facing a few deficits. If the Hornets can put good offense with good defense, they will be a team to reckon with.

At 23-30, they sit in the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and are underachieving. Looking at the standings, the Charlotte Hornets are only two spots and three and a half games out of the eighth seed. Plus, ESPN’s FiveThirtyEight.com still gives the Queen City team a 25% chance to make the playoffs despite their poor play over the first 50 games of the season.

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Why is Everything Okay?

  1. Nicolas Batum has been hot as of late, while also providing much needed offensive help. (Last three games Averaging 22 points-per-game.)
  2. Treveon Graham has established his play off the bench while making new career highs.
  3. Kemba Walker is doing what he does best, and heating up.
  4. The backup point, Michael Carter-Williams, has been pretty nice as of late.
  5. Marvin Williams will be returning to the team soon, following his ankle injury.
  6. Cody Zeller is back, and he is giving his 110% every minute he is on the court.
  7. Jeremy Lamb has been hot coming off the bench.
  8. Certain teams are losing games that we need them to lose.

Things Needed to Secure a Playoff Spot

The Hornets have a high chance of still making the playoffs, but they will need a chain of events to happen.

  • Win at least 3/4 games before the All-Star break.
  • Not trading away Kemba Walker.
  • Win at least eighteen of the remaining twenty-nine games to finish at .500 (41-41).
  • Make every remaining home game count.
  • Win the series over the Philadelphia 76ers.
  • Win the series over the Detroit Pistons.
  • Win the series over the Brooklyn Nets (Every conference wins matter).

Next: Rumor: Bucks interested in trading for Malik Monk

Final Thoughts

It would almost seem that many of the Hornets’ faithful have given up on the Hornets season, but the Hornets still have an opportunity that they can seize. There are many conference games coming up and these are the games that the team must win. Charlotte has now entered the hot part of the season, where every game matters. Let’s not forget that this is the same team that beat the Warriors in Oakland this season so they’ve proven that when they are firing on all cylinders, they are a dangerous squad.

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