The Charlotte Hornets are looking to start the season 2-0 as they take on the Detroit Pistons for their first of three matchups this season. The two teams have started the season on opposite ends of the spectrum, as Charlotte won their first game of the season while Detroit was on the losing end of their first game.
These two teams split last season’s matchups in more ways than one. Not only were the four games split even between the two teams, but each side also managed to win one game on the road, resulting in each team being 1-1 at home. Detroit did manage to win the first two matchups, but Charlotte was able to take the final to finish the season series 2-2.
The final season point total was incredibly close at the end of the season. Charlotte held a slight advantage of two points over the four games (119-117). The Hornets managed to have margins of victory of 10 and 11 in both of their wins while losing by just six and seven to the Pistons.
Even though these two teams were far from being considered anything in the realm of lethal from three-point range, both managed to outperform their season-long averages in their four matchups. Charlotte’s 34.8% was nearly two percent better (33%), and Detroit’s 35.3% conversion rate from deep was better by a very small margin (0.2%).
A win in this matchup will have Charlotte starting the season off 2-0 for the second time in three seasons and only the third time since rebranding as the Hornets. This would guarantee Charlotte a winning record for their season-opening homestead, as they have one more game against the Brooklyn Nets before heading out on the road for a three-game road trip.
Injury Report
Cody Martin and Bryce McGowens are both listed as game-time decisions for the Hornets, while the Pistons will be without the services of Bojan Bogdanovic, Monte Morris, and Isaiah Livers.
Could the Hornets be in line for changes after the season?
Is it possible that the Charlotte Hornets improve upon last season and still end up making changes at the end of the season?