Charlotte Hornets look to end skid as they host Denver Nuggets

After three bad losses in a row, a win over the top-seeded Denver Nuggets would certainly help ease the pain for the Charlotte Hornets.

In sports, it can very easy to let morale sink when a team is struggling. Phrases like “keep your chin up” or “every cloud has a silver lining” exist for a reason.

Right now, the Charlotte Hornets (11-13) could use every boost to morale they can get, or at least the fans could. Losing three in a row by an average of almost 12 points is never going to help things in the locker room, but it’s not something they can’t overcome.

They’re professionals and they’ve been through it before.

That being said, it’s going to have to be sooner rather than later. Being two games under .500 in early December is not an impossible obstacle to overcome, but if that turns into five or six games later in the month, then it makes the situation much more daunting.

A win over the Denver Nuggets (17-7) would really invigorate both the team and its fans. It won’t be easy, however, as the Denver Nuggets are red hot, coming into this game riding a seven-game winning streak. That streak includes wins over the likes of the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Portland Trailblazers. The Nuggets certainly seem for real.

Charlotte’s last game was a 104-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They are currently 8th in the Eastern Conference. Denver’s last contest was 124-118 overtime win over the Orlando Magic. They are first in the West. This is the first of two matchups against the Nuggets.

Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets
7:00 p.m. EST, Friday, December 7th, 2018
Spectrum Center
Fox Sports Southeast

Injury Report:

CHA:

Marvin Williams – Shoulder (Questionable)

DEN:

Gary Harris – Hip (Out)

Will Barton – Groin (Out)

Isaiah Thomas – Hip (Out)

Michael Porter Jr. – Back (Out)

Jarred Vanderbilt – Foot (Out)

Things to watch for:

One would assume that Denver’s injuries would affect them, but that hasn’t stopped them from winning seven straight. Fortunately for Denver, only one of those of those injuries affects one of the six players they have averaging double-digit points per game.

Here’s an interesting little tidbit: these two teams have played each other 56 times, and the series is split right down the middle, with each team winning 28. These two teams did split the season series last season, so there is hope, Hornets fans.

Also, can we please get the Kemba Walker we all know and love back?

Keys to the game:

Charlotte and Denver rank 7th and 8th in the NBA respectively in offensive rating. As far as defensive rating is concerned, the Nuggets are much better, sitting at 5th in the league, compared to the Hornets being 17th.

Charlotte will need to get creative on offense, perhaps utilizing more pick and roll variations or by attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line. They’ll also need to step their defense up because the Nuggets can hit you in many ways, whether it’s down low with Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic, or from deep with Malik Beasley or Juan Hernangomez.

This Nuggets squad is legit and have taken down some of the best teams in the NBA. Personally, I think if they play a full four quarters and stay with the Nuggets, the Hornets can come away with a statement win. Here’s hoping they do just that Friday night in the Queen City.