On Aug. 20, the NBA released the official 2021-22 schedule which means the Charlotte Hornets now know what teams they will be playing on each night until April 10. While the strenuous 82 game schedule release doesn’t get the hype of the NFL’s 17 game schedule, it’s still exciting to look at how your team could potentially fare in the upcoming season.
Charlotte starts the season out hot but simmers down after some tough matchups.
Oct. 20: vs Indiana Pacers – Win
LaMelo Ball and company open the season with a rematch against the team who destroyed them in the NBA Play-In Game. The 144-117 routing by Indiana has been fresh on Charlotte’s mind all summer and they get a chance to right the ship in game one.
Oct. 22: at Cleveland Cavaliers – Win
Charlotte follows up a statement win against the Pacers with another win against the rebuilding Cavaliers. The youth movement from both teams will be on full display in this game but Charlotte gets the edge.
Oct. 24: at Brooklyn Nets – Loss
The star power in Brooklyn is too much for the young Hornets as they drop their first game of the season to the Nets. Charlotte actually played Brooklyn very well in 2020-21, winning two of the three matchups, however, in this game Charlotte comes up short.
Oct. 25: vs Boston Celtics – Loss
Two straight losses for Charlotte as they return from Brooklyn for an immediate back-to-back game against another one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams in Boston. Jayson Tatum and friends prove too tough to handle a night after dealing with Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving.
Oct. 27: at Orlando Magic – Win
Charlotte gets back on track with a win down in Orlando. Before the season starts the Magic look like a squad who will be struggling this season and the Hornets will take advantage of their early matchup against this team.
Oct. 29: at Miami Heat – Loss
Miami added Kyle Lowery to a Heat team already consisting of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Charlotte’s youth will struggle to overcome this veteran team who’s looking at making a run for the eastern crown. Charlotte drops this one.
Oct. 31: vs Portland Trailblazers – Loss
Charlotte returns home to host Damian Lillard and his Portland Trailblazers. This is sure to be an exciting Haloween matchup but the Hornets can’t start the festivities with a victory in this prediction. No treats tonight.