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Highlights Video :
Charlotte is hoping to end the negative run of four consecutive defeats, while Portland wasn’t to return to the winning ways after the narrow loss to the Warriors.
PREVIEW
The Charlotte Hornets (23-25) are in the eight place in the East and currently in the playoff picture, but that will not be the case if they continue with miserable performances. Three out of last four defeats came at home, most recently to the Sacramento Kings, 106-109. Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 26 points and seven assists, Nicolas Batum added 17 points, seven dimes, and seven rebounds, while Marvin Williams and Spencer Hawes combined for 26 points. The battle of the backcourts will be quite interesting in this one as Walker and Batum are facing Lillard and McCollum; in the previous encounter this January, Kemba and Nic scored 40 in opposite to Damian’s and C.J.’s 39 points, so we already know that it’s going to be a fantastic match-up.
The Portland Trail Blazers (21-28) are in a quite similar position as their opponents, although they are in the ninth place in the West. Portland did win three straight games before lost to the Golden State Warriors, 111-113. C.J. McCollum led the Blazers with 28 points and seven rebounds, while Damian Lillard followed him with 19 points and eight assists. Evan Turner had 18 points and six dimes, while Mason Plumlee recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 boards, along with two rejections. Charlotte won the last head-to-head duel, 107-85, and the Blazers wants the revenge in this one, and judging by the Hornets away form at the moment (seven consecutive losses), it’s not an unrealistic thing to expect.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Charlotte Hornets
Hornets didn’t manage to stop Lillard or McCollum last time they played Portland but managed to limit their teammates, and with the lack of adequate support, the Blazers’ backcourt duo was helpless, and it resulted in Portland’s heavy defeat. Steve Clifford will try to use same tactics here, but it will be a bit different on the road, and the Hornets may struggle in their intent. However, Batum’s defence on McCollum is going to be crucial for the outcome of this match.
Portland Trail Blazers
Unlike Charlotte, Portland’s defence is not the better part of the team, and they are focusing on scoring points rather than playing solid defence. Still, that didn’t work in the previous tilt with the Hornets, especially for beyond the arc, when Portland made only eight threes out of 31 attempts, so it isn’t strange why they lost the game. The outside shooting have to improve tonight, or else the Blazers will have a lot of work to do under the rims, and I don’t think that they are a good interior team.
Charlotte Hornets Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Walker / SG – Batum / SF – Kidd-Gilchrist / PF – Williams / C – Hibbert
Walker and Batum will likely lead the Hornets in points; Hibbert is pretty useless, while Hawes and Kaminsky could contribute from the inside. Belinelli, Williams, and Kidd-Gilchrist should reach double digits.
Portland Trail Blazers Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Lillard / SG – McCollum / SF – Turner / PF – Vonleh / C – Plumlee
Lillard and McCollum are the obvious leaders of the team and will lead them on the scoreboard, while Turner could have a big impact, alongside Plumlee, Harkless, and Aminu.
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