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Swarm and Sting
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Hornets vs. Lakers Summer League Preview

By Evan Birchmore

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 09: A general view of the court shows the NBA logo during a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2017 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The NBA unveiled a refreshed logo during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League. A modified version of Action font, customized for the league, will be used for the letters N-B-A in the primary logo. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 09: A general view of the court shows the NBA logo during a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2017 NBA Summer League at the Cox Pavilion on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The NBA unveiled a refreshed logo during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League. A modified version of Action font, customized for the league, will be used for the letters N-B-A in the primary logo. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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After falling short in their Summer League opener on Friday night, the Charlotte Hornets are back in action tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers suffering a loss to the Phoenix Suns in their Summer League opener, both squads will be looking to right the ship in this matchup.

In order to have a more successful outing, the Hornets must take better care of the basketball. They racked up 18 turnovers to just 16 assists as a team against the Pacers, with second year forward JT Thor leading the way with five turnovers of his own. The play of point guard Jalen Crutcher was a bright spot, as he tallied seven assists against just two turnovers while serving as the primary distributor. Without an established option at the point guard spot, it will be a team effort for Charlotte to share the basketball and to limit turnovers. If they fail to do so, they will be looking at another Summer League loss, which would mark their seventh straight dating back to 2019.

Charlotte also needs to have a better night from three-point range after shooting only 22.6% from deep against the Pacers. The shot selection from Kai Jones will be worth monitoring, as his 0-10 performance from three-point range drew some attention on Friday night. Conversely, Jones made all five of his two-point attempts. Perhaps Jones is using Summer League as the time to try and expand his offensive arsenal with limited risk; only 24% of his field goal attempts in the G-League last season were from three-point range, compared to 67% on Friday night. Bryce McGowens and LJ Figueroa each provided a spark from distance, with their 17 and 16 points marking the highest and second-highest totals for Charlotte, respectively. A repeat of those performances will go a long way towards Charlotte’s team success in this matchup.

The Hornets did do well on the boards on Friday night, winning the rebounding battle by a 51-45 margin. The frontcourt trio of Nick Richards, Kai Jones, and Mark Williams combined for 28 rebounds, eight of which were offensive rebounds. Charlotte’s Summer League roster is frontcourt heavy; of the five healthy players on the roster on some form of a contract with the Hornets, four are frontcourt players. Winning the battle on the boards will be crucial for Charlotte to come out of tonight with a victory.

The Lakers had an equally difficult time taking care of the basketball in their opener, posting just 11 assists as a team against 10 turnovers. Scottie Pippen Jr. was the main culprit, racking up five turnovers on the night, although he did post a team-high 19 points and three assists, as well. The Lakers did not fare much better than the Hornets from three-point range, shooting only 26.1% on the night. They were also outrebounded by Phoenix by a 51-37 margin; no Lakers player posted more than eight rebounds, and no Lakers frontcourt player posted more than four rebounds.

The Hornets have a big chance against some big names in this matchup

Tonight’s matchup will not lack for big names. LiAngelo Ball will make his return after clearing health and safety protocols, while the aforementioned Scottie Pippen Jr. joins Shareef O’Neal as Lakers Summer League players with Hall-of-Fame fathers. In a matchup promising to have intrigue on both sides, Charlotte must take better care of the basketball, be more efficient from three-point range, and win the rebounding battle in order to earn their first summer league victory in nearly three calendar years.

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