Charlotte Hornets: Predicting every game of the 2021-22 season
Charlotte goes back and forth with the win column in January and struggles to maintain winning form.
Jan. 2: vs Phoenix Suns – Loss
Charlotte falls short when looking to start the new year off on the right foot. The Hornets snuck one from Phoenix on their road trip in December. This time Devin Booker and the Suns get revenge when they travel to Charlotte.
Jan. 3: at Washington Wizards – Win
After dropping the previous two games, Charlotte will need to right the ship with two matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks looming.
Jan. 5: vs Detroit Pistons – Win
Charlotte gets their first look at the number one overall pick, Cade Cunningham, and the Detroit Pistons. Cunningham vs Ball could be a very fun point guard battle in the eastern conference for the foreseeable future. Ball wins the first game between the two.
Jan. 8: vs Milwaukee Bucks – Loss
The Champions are in town and they once again get the better of this Hornets team.
Jan. 10: vs Milwaukee Bucks – Loss
Charlotte’s veterans, Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier will be looked at heavily for games like these. Can you get back into the win column after a big loss to a great team? I think they battle hard but fall just short again against the Champs.
Jan. 12: at Philadelphia 76ers – Loss
Charlotte will be desperately wanting to win this game in Philadelphia, but unfortunately, they have no answer for Joel Embiid at this moment. Until this is addressed I cannot comfortably pick them to win against the 76ers in Philadelphia.
Jan. 14: vs Orlando Magic – Win
The Hornets get back in the win column with a win against what I believe to be one of the worst teams in the league in the Orlando Magic.
Jan. 17: at New York Knicks – Loss
The Kemba Derby gets its second fixture in New York this time. This will be a tough matchup for Charlotte as they look to take a 2-0 series lead on a team of a similar caliber. They fall short in this one and walk away with a loss.
Jan. 19: at Boston Celtics – Win
A huge game for Hayward and Rozier as they return to Boston to play their former team on ESPN. There’s some extra fuel in this game, especially with the Celtics beating the Hornets in Charlotte earlier in the season. Charlotte surprise the Celtics on national TV and come out with a win.
Jan. 21: vs Oklahoma City – Win
After a quick two-game road trip, the Hornets return home to Charlotte for a matchup against an interesting Oklahoma City team. Charlotte should be favored in this one and will likely come out of it with a win.
Jan. 23: vs Atlanta Hawks – Win
Charlotte keeps their momentum going with a big-time victory against the Hawks. Charlotte takes a 2-1 series lead against their rivals and shows that they’re ready to compete in the playoffs.
Jan. 25: at Toronto Raptors – Win
After losing Lowery, the Raptors are now headlined by Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam. Charlotte gets their first look at the new-look Raptors that includes the fourth overall pick, Scottie Barnes. This will be a tough game for Charlotte but they’re up to the task here and come out with a road win.
Jan. 26: at Indiana Pacers – Loss
After getting revenge in the first game of the season, Charlotte has now dropped its remaining three games to the Pacers. The scheduling of this matchup hasn’t favored the Hornets but when you seek revenge you should dig two graves.
Jan. 28: vs Los Angeles Lakers – Loss
LeBron James won’t miss a chance to beat Michael Jordan’s team in Jordan’s own arena. Hornets lose this home game.
Jan. 30: vs LA Clippers – Loss
January ends with a tough three-game skid for the Hornets who have to face both L.A. teams to finish out the month.