The Charlotte Hornets recently completed a five-game home stand that may have saved their playoff hopes. Winning four of the five contests, the Swarm remain firmly locked in the play-in race as the ninth seed in the East.
Sitting only a half-game behind the Brooklyn Nets for the all-important eighth seed, Charlotte has a crucial matchup with the Nets on Sunday, March 27. This may be the most important game of the season for the Hornets.
This matchup against the Nets, however, would not mean anything if it were not for the terrific run the Hornets have been on recently. Winners of six of their last seven games, the Swarm are playing their best basketball of the season at the right time.
LaMelo Ball has stepped up big time across that seven-game stretch. Averaging 21 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 7.6 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game, LaMelo has increased his scoring and defensive activity over the past seven games.
The second-year guard has the keys to the kingdom and should be able to lead the Hornets into the playoffs for years to come. That is not to say he has been carrying the load on his own, however.
Miles Bridges has also increased his production over this timeframe. Averaging 21.6 points per game in the last seven games, Bridges has seen his scoring average for the season balloon to 20 points per game. In this stretch, he is also shooting an incredible 57.9% from the field.
These two young talents have carried the Hornets to within a half-game of the Nets. If this recent home stand went poorer, there would be no doubt the Hornets would be playing in the 9-10 play-in game. Instead, sneaking a few wins against tough opponents has given the Swarm hope for the eighth seed, which would put them in an excellent position to make the playoffs.