The Charlotte Hornets wrapped up the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season on Tuesday with a blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-102. The Hornets finished their six-game road trip with a 3-3 record, and enter the All-Star break with 17 wins and 18 losses, sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Hornets will have no representation during the All-Star activities on March 7. No Hornet was selected to participate in the three-point competition or the All-Star game. LaMelo Ball was asked to participate in the skills competition and Miles Bridges was asked to participate in the dunk contest, both players declined.
Ball was selected to the Team USA roster of the 2021 NBA Rising Stars. However, the game will not be played this year.
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The Hornets will play their first game after the break on March 11 at home against the Detriot Pistons.
Despite injuries that have rocked the roster lately, the Hornets have been a surprise team this season. Most outlets predicted that the Hornets would finish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with one of, if not, the worst records in the league. However, led by Ball, Terry Rozier, and Gordon Hayward, the Hornets are in a position to advance to the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-2016 season.
The Hornets are still a flawed team and have numerous issues that must be corrected in their journey back to the playoffs. Charlotte continues to be a below-average defensive team. This season has been worse than season’s past as the Hornets’ defense continuously packs the paint giving up uncontested three-pointers to opposing teams. The Hornets have allowed teams to either tie or break single-game three-point field goal-made records multiple times this season.
Charlotte also continues to struggle to rebound on both ends of the floor and defending the rim. Outside of Malik Monk, the Hornets do not have another consistent scorer off the bench.
The Hornets should consider making three adjustments to the rotation after the All-Star break.