Charlotte Hornets host the Boston Celtics in Kemba Walker’s return

The Charlotte Hornets are riding a three-game winning streak. Can they make it four when the Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics roll into town?

For the second straight game, the Charlotte Hornets (4-3) will have to face a familiar player. Last game, it was Jeremy Lamb and the Indiana Pacers. In their next game, it will be Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics (5-1).

Although they faced them in the preseason, this one will hit closer to home given that it’s a meaningful game this time.

Much as been written and covered over the years about the impact Kemba Walker had on the city of Charlotte and fans of the team. Thus, this game will elicit quite a few emotions from the crowd, the team, and Kemba himself. I’m hoping the fans give him a long standing ovation.

There is basketball to be played, however, and both teams have been playing well. Charlotte is on a three-game win streak and Boston has had a nice streak as well, winning their last five after losing their season opener.

As mentioned before, Charlotte’s last game was a 122-120 overtime victory over the Indiana Pacers. They are currently 6th in the Eastern Conference. Boston’s last contest was a 119-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are tied for 1st in the East. This is the first of three meetings between these two teams.

Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics
8:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, November 7th, 2019
Spectrum Center
TNT

Stream: Fubo.tv

Injury Report:

CHA:

Nicolas Batum – Finger (Out)

PJ Washington – Lower Leg (Probable)

BOS:

Jaylen Brown – Illness (Probable)

Enes Kanter – Knee  (Questionable)

Daniel Theis – Ankle  (Probable)

Robert Williams – Hip  (Probable)

Things to watch for:

It’ll be interesting to see what type of ceremony, if any, the Hornets will perform for Kemba in his return to the Spectrum Center. Personally, I think they should retire his jersey, but they might think that a bit premature. In any case, it should be loud when they first introduce him.

If Washington can’t go, you have to wonder if Coach Borrego reinserts Marvin Williams back into the starting lineup. Here’s hoping P.J. is ready because he’s become a key piece of what Charlotte does on offense.

Keys to the game:

We all know what Kemba can do, so guarding him effectively is a must because even though there’s no animosity between him and the Hornets organization, you just know he would love to go off against his former team. They need to try and limit his effectiveness off the pick and roll and keep him from slashing to the basket.

Boston gives up the fewest turnovers per game in the NBA, allowing just 12 per contest. Charlotte, however, has had issues with coughing up the rock, committing almost 18 a game. Boston averages 18.5 points off of turnovers, 13th in the league, so if Charlotte can’t handle the ball, this could get ugly. Charlotte needs to take better care of the ball while also trying to get Boston to turn it over themselves.

On what will surely be an emotional evening in Charlotte, the Hornets will look to try and extend their winning streak to four games. It won’t be easy, though, against a tough and gritty Celtics squad. We’ll see if they can manage to defeat their old captain Thursday night in Charlotte.