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Starting Lineup and Other Things to Know Heading Into the Charlotte Hornets First Pre-Season Game Tonight

By Bryce Fields

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: The Charlotte Hornets bench reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 25, 2018 at Spectrum Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 25: The Charlotte Hornets bench reacts to a play during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 25, 2018 at Spectrum Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It is finally here: the 2018-19 NBA (pre)season is finally here. The Charlotte Hornets will be one of the first teams to play this season, and are in action tonight against the Boston Celtics. Here is everything you need to know before tip-off:

After a wild summer in NBA news, that is still ongoing (see the Jimmy Butler saga), we finally have some Charlotte Hornets basketball that matters, sort of. While it is just preseason, the Hornets already have a lot of things they will be looking at to get ready for the real games. Will Charlotte finally get over the hump this year or continue to be mediocre? Is Kemba Walker’s supporting cast good enough to keep him in town? Can new head coach James Borrego take the team in a new direction? These might not all be answered tonight, but we are looking at what you should know before tonight’s preseason opener:

Coach Borrego announces starters for first preseason game vs Celtics

Starting Lineup:

  • PG: Kemba Walker
  • SG: Jeremy Lamb
  • SF: Nicolas Batum
  • PF: Marvin Williams
  • C: Cody Zeller

The Guards:

The answer is yes to the question we have all been asking: Kemba Walker will be the starting point guard for the Charlotte Hornets.

Okay that isn’t surprising, and honestly, neither is the rest of the starting lineup. Walker will be joined in the starting backcourt with Jeremy Lamb, who should be a lock for that job all year. Lamb is coming off a career-year last year, and is playing for a nice contract in the off-season. If he continues to shoot well and sees his scoring go up, Lamb is in for a solid season.

light. Must Read. How ESPN Disprespected Kemba Walker

The Forwards:

The frontcourt trio is also one that Hornets fans have seen fairly often the past few years. Veterans Nicolas Batum and Marvin William will hold down the forward positions, something people expected to happen early in the season. Batum had a rough year last year while Williams was average and solid yet again, but both of their futures are unclear in Charlotte. Batum’s huge contract is hurting the Hornets, and he needs to step it up this season. Williams is a solid stretch 4, but at his age, he has probably reached his ceiling. If they don’t play up to par, expect them to be shuffled around with Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, Malik Monk, Dwayne Bacon, and rookie Miles Bridges.

How Will Miles Bridges do in His Rookie Season?. light. Related Story

The Centers:

After taking a year off from it, Cody Zeller returns as the starting center. Dwight Howard took the job last year, but Zeller is a solid starter who will do all the little things. The only problem with his game is he has low upside and some other, younger Hornets bigs may be better off. Frank Kaminsky for one can be a great stretch center if he improves defensively, and Willy Hernangomez also is a wild card. There will definitely be some shuffling depending on matchups, but Zeller gets the nod tonight.

Expectations for tonight’s game vs the Celtics: Don’t have any

This might sounds outlandish after all the claims of being grateful the NBA is back, but there is one major thing to keep in mind: it is just the preseason. Charlotte isn’t going to ride their proven talent hard (should Kemba even play at all?) and will use multiple lineups to see what works and what doesn’t. Hornets fans, please do not read much into this game. Boston’s lineup will be good and with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning from injury, they will be out to prove something. If the Hornets lose, they lose. Focus on the regular season and just be grateful we get basketball back in our lives.

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