Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Hornets’ western road trip looms large

By Evan Birchmore

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to dribble past Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 26: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets looks to dribble past Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 26, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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For the third time in as many seasons, the Charlotte Hornets will embark on a six-game road trip against Western Conference foes. This year’s western trek tips off on Sunday, December 18th and concludes on Tuesday, December 27th. The schedule includes matchups against the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors. After going 2-4 on last season’s road trip, it will be crucial for the Hornets to find success away from the friendly confines of the Spectrum Center during this year’s western voyage.

December 18th – at Denver Nuggets

Denver always presents a unique challenge due to the elevation of their arena relative to most other NBA venues. Sitting over 5,000 feet above sea level, Ball Arena is the highest NBA arena by a wide margin. While Charlotte did manage to escape with a victory last season, it took a herculean effort in the game’s final frame to erase a 17-point deficit. The win snapped the Hornets’ four-game losing streak in Denver. Interestingly, the Nuggets were the second-best team amongst these road trip foes last year but were also the only team in this group that Charlotte defeated on the road last year.

December 19th- at Sacramento Kings

The Hornets will not have much time to regroup before the second game of the road swing, as they will have less than 24 hours before squaring off against the Kings in Sacramento. This also marks one of just 12 back-to-back sets on Charlotte’s schedule this season, which is tied for the least in the league. Charlotte has played well in Sacramento over the past several seasons, as they have gone 5-2 in the past seven seasons in road contests against the Kings. However, the suffered an embarrassing 30-point blowout loss in last season’s trip to Sactown, tied for their third-worst defeat of the season. The most recent Hornets victory in Sacramento came on February 28th, 2021, when Malik Monk’s and-one with 1.4 seconds remaining helped lift Charlotte to a 127-126 win.

December 21st – at Los Angeles Clippers

The Hornets will then travel south for a matchup with the Clippers, who have won the last eight matchups between the two. Charlotte has not won a road contest against the Clippers since February 28th, 2009, when Emeka Okafor and Raja Bell led the Bobcats to a 100-95 victory. This will also mark Charlotte’s first game since the renaming of Crypto.com Arena, formerly known as the Staples Center.

December 23rd – at Los Angeles Lakers

The Hornets will stay in Los Angeles for their next matchup as they will face off against the Lakers. For the fourth season in a row, Charlotte will play road games against the Clippers and Lakers on the same trip as part of the league-wide initiative to minimize travel as much as possible. The Hornets lost a heartbreaker in last year’s road tilt against the Lakers, falling by a score of 126-123 in overtime. They did, however, manage to defeat the Lakers when the matchup shifted to the Queen City, ending the Lakers’ six-game winning streak in the series. Charlotte’s last win in a road tilt against the Lakers came on January 5th, 2018, when Kemba Walker’s 19 points helped carry the Hornets to a win over Brandon Ingram and company.

December 26th – at Portland Trail Blazers

Charlotte will then travel north for a contest in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Rip City has not been kind to Charlotte, as their most recent victory in Oregon came on March 29th, 2008. Emeka Okafor and Jason Richardson led the Bobcats over Travis Outlaw, LaMarcus Aldridge and company in that contest. Last season’s game was no different, as Portland built a 17-point lead after the first quarter and would not relinquish it the rest of the way. Damian Lillard had his most prolific scoring performance of the season that night, dropping 43 points on 63% shooting and 55% shooting from three-point range.

December 27th- at Golden State Warriors

The road trip will wrap up with a visit to San Francisco to take on the defending champion Golden State Warriors. For the second time in as many nights, the Hornets will appear on NBA TV. This matchup also represents one of the 12 back-to-back sets for Charlotte this season and the second of this road trip. Charlotte has dropped their last two games in San Francisco, with their most recent victory coming on November 2nd, 2019, against a depleted Warriors squad playing without Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

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