The Charlotte Hornets take on the Washington Wizards on Monday at 7 p.m. est. This will be the second game of a back-to-back stint for the Hornets, having just come off a brutal loss against the Phoenix Suns by a score of 133-99.
A 34 point loss is probably not how Charlotte wanted to start 2022, so getting back on track tonight against Washington will be critical. We can just pretend last night never happened to start the year off fresh again.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been taking over the league and that will continue tonight as both teams will be without a few key players due to health and safety protocols.
Charlotte Hornets odds at Washington Wizards
The Hornets enter tonight’s matchup as 2-point underdogs to the Wizards, according to WynnBET. Both teams are neck and neck in the Eastern Conference with the Hornets currently holding a half-game advantage over the Wizards. Charlotte has also beaten Washington two times this season already, so take that for what it’s worth when making your bet.
Streaming Info for Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards
TV: Bally Sports Southeast
Radio WFNZ 610
Storylines for Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards
The Hornets need a strong bounce-back game after last night’s performance. This team has been the worst defensive team all season and last night it was on full display. Whether it was a lack of skill, scheme, or just simply not being as good as the other team on the court, this team needs to come out and play with some pride on the defensive end of the ball after last night.
As always, the rise of LaMelo Ball will continue to be a storyline as the season progresses. As a budding superstar in the league, Ball’s development is the most important thing to monitor this year. Charlotte’s young point guard currently leads the team in four of the five major statistical categories, points (19.6), assists (7.8), rebounds (7.4), and steals (1.8). Every game that he’s on the court is an exciting one and he’ll be looking to will his team to another victory tonight.
This will be the third time that these two teams have matched up against each other this season, with the Hornets winning both of the previous matchups. As the east currently stands, the Hornets are the 7th seed (19-18) while the Wizards sit at 8th (18-18), meaning right now they are battling it out for playoff seeding and a chance to push into the top six to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Injuries for Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards
Charlotte:
PJ Washington (health and safety protocols) – OUT
Vernon Carey Jr. (health and safety protocols) – OUT
Washington:
Spencer Dinwiddie (health and safety protocols) – OUT
Brad Wanamaker (health and safety protocols) – OUT
Anthony Gil (health and safety protocols) – OUT
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