Charlotte Hornets face the Detroit Pistons with hopes to end skid

The Charlotte Hornets have lost four games in a row. Can they end that skid against Detroit before embarking on a four-game road trip?

Struggles continue for the Charlotte Hornets (4-7) as they have now lost four straight games, three of which were by an average of just five points. It’s not going to get any easier, either, given their upcoming road trip that will see them face some fairly tough opponents. This means that it is imperative they win their next home game, lest they fall too far behind other teams with similar records.

That game happens to be against the Detroit Pistons (4-8), a team Charlotte has beaten six consecutive times, dating back to January of last year. That streak will be in jeopardy, as the Pistons are surely looking to prove they’re better than their record.

The Hornets will too, of course, as they’ve been plagued by careless offense, weak defense, and late-game collapses. They’re a young group, so some of that is to be expected, but they’ve definitely shot themselves in the foot multiple times in this young season.

Charlotte’s last game was a 119-117 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. They are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Detroit’s last outing was a 117-108 loss to the Miami Heat. They are 13th in the East, half a game back of the Hornets. This is the second of four match-ups against Detroit this season.

Charlotte Hornets vs Detroit Pistons
7:00 p.m. EST, Friday, November 15th, 2019
Spectrum Center
Fox Sports Southeast

Stream: Fubo.tv

Injury Report:

CHA:

Nicolas Batum – Finger (Out)

Dwayne Bacon – Knee (Probable)

DET:

Reggie Jackson – Back (Out)

Tony Snell – Hip (Probable)

Khyri Thomas – Foot (Out)

Things to watch for:

Charlotte’s interior defense has been really bad lately and it’s what is causing a lot of their struggles. They are dead last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint, giving up just a bit over 56 points per game inside.

That will probably be an issue again with Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. The duo has proven effective against the Hornets in the past and will no doubt be effective again. It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments the team can make.

Dwayne Bacon has been somewhat underwhelming so far this season, which spits in the face of a few of our writers who thought he’d be the player to make the biggest jump. There’s still time for him to do that, but it needs to be sooner, rather than later. Hopefully he can go and be at 100% health.

Keys to the game:

Despite their record, Detroit is one of the better shooting teams in the league, ranking 5th in overall field-goal percentage and 1st in three-point field-goal percentage. This doesn’t bode well for a Hornets defense who, again, has been terrible this season.

As always, avoid leaving open shooters and be physical down low to force tough shots.

Much of their struggles, however, have come on the defensive end. Sound familiar? The Hornets allow the highest field-goal percentage in the league, allowing teams to shoot almost 50% against them. Detroit? They’re not that far behind, allowing the 4th highest.

Coincidentally, these two teams snag the fewest boards in the NBA, as well. That makes sense if teams make more shots against you. If you can make the Pistons miss their shots, it’s absolutely necessary to box out under the rim and establish position for better chances on the defensive glass.

Getting a win before a four-game road trip would help keep the Hornets afloat in the Eastern Conference standings, but it won’t be easy. If they can solve their defensive woes and keep Detroit from scoring, they have a shot at this one. Here’s hoping they can leave Charlotte with a much-needed win.