Swarm and Sting
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Charlotte Hornets head to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers

By Elijah Edwards

PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 19 : Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets puts up the shot against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 19 : Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets puts up the shot against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 19, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets are riding high after a blowout win over the Chicago Bulls. Can they maintain that momentum on the road against the talented Philadelphia 76ers?

It’s no secret that the NBA season is a grind. That is especially true in regards to back-to-back games. Mixing home and away games makes it even worse. Unfortunately, the Charlotte Hornets (3-3) will have to do just that as they head to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the Philadelphia 76ers (2-3).

Back-to-back games weren’t so kind to the Hornets last year. The team posted an 8-12 record in those scenarios. This is a different squad, of course, so it’ll be interesting to see how they manage those situations this year.

Charlotte is coming off a 135-106 drubbing of the Chicago Bulls. They currently are in 6th spot in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers last game was a 108-123 loss coming at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. They are 9th in the East.

Charlotte Hornets at Philadelphia 76ers
7:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, October 27th, 2018
Wells Fargo Center
Fox Sports Southeast

Injury Report

CHA:

None

PHI:

Joel Embiid – Ankle (Game-time decision)

Wilson Chandler – Hamstring (Game-time decision)

Jerryd Bayless – Knee (Out)

Zhaire Smith – Foot (Out)

Things to watch for

I expect Joel Emiid to play, but if he doesn’t, that could be a huge advantage for the Hornets in this game. He is listed as questionable after rolling his ankle in practice, but with the team under .500 and needing a win, I assume he’ll be taped up and ready to go. The Hornets have lost six of their last seven against the 76ers, with their previous win coming November 2nd, 2016. This team surely is aware of this and would love to correct that.

Keys to the game

The 76ers are 4th in the Association in assists. That makes sense when you have Ben Simmons. This combined with the fact that they’re 6th in the NBA in fewest turnovers means their offense is very efficient. The Hornets will need to play staunch defense and try to rattle their distributors.

The team may even want to mix it up and try using more zone defense than they usually do. Another aspect to consider is Philly’s rebounding. They are 9th in the league in that category, and that is not an area in which the Hornets are proficient; sitting just 22nd in NBA, this will be the key focus if Embiid cannot play.

Charlotte Hornets: Analyzing and Reviewing “Borrego’s Hornets”. light. Must Read

The Hornets went 0-4 last season against the 76ers last season. They’re considered one of the top teams in the East, of course, but there’s no reason Charlotte cannot win this game. If they emphasize defense and limit mistakes, they can come out with a W. We’ll see if they can get it done Saturday night in Philadelphia.

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