Charlotte Hornets spark play-in aspirations as crucial clash with Bulls approaches
The Charlotte Hornets, currently sitting at 12th place with a record of 7-17, are starting to ignite the flames of a potential play-in push. With victories in three of their last six outings, they are inching closer to the Milwaukee Bucks (10th, 11-15) and the Chicago Bulls (11th, 9-14). Tonight, they will have a chance to make a statement as they face the Bulls at 7 PM EST in Spectrum Center.
Previous Encounter
This season, the Hornets and Bulls have met only once, a matchup that took place on November 28. In that contest, Brandon Miller delivered an impressive performance, scoring 27 points along with five rebounds and three blocks, leading the Hornets to a 123-116 victory. However, both teams struggled with their shooting that night, combining for just 23 made three-pointers on 81 attempts.
The Bulls’ shooting woes were particularly glaring, as they had difficulty finding their rhythm. According to NBA tracking data, only 14 of Chicago’s 36 three-point attempts were contested, suggesting that their poor shooting was more a matter of bad luck than the Hornets’ defensive prowess.
Current Struggles
As the Bulls head into this matchup, they are mired in a significant slump, having won just one of their last nine games. This stretch has seen them rank among the bottom five in scoring, efficiency, and turnovers. Their shooting from beyond the arc has been particularly concerning, as only one team has shot worse than Chicago’s 32.4% from three during this period. Ironically, that team is none other than the Hornets, who also find themselves struggling to find their shooting touch.
Despite their shooting struggles, both teams are not shy about letting it fly from deep, which could lead to a high-volume, if not particularly accurate, shooting night.
Injury Report
In terms of personnel, both squads are dealing with significant injuries. The Hornets will be without Grant Williams (right knee), Pat Connaughton (right calf), Tre Mann (right knee), LaMelo Ball (left ankle), Colin Sexton (left quad), and Liam McNeeley (G-League). Additionally, Moussa Diabate (right knee) is listed as questionable.
The Bulls are also facing their share of challenges. Ayo Dosunmu (right thumb), Noa Essengue (left shoulder), and Kevin Huerter (left adductor) are all out. However, they may see the return of Isaac Okoro, who has missed time with an injury. His presence could be a game-changer, as the Bulls have posted a respectable 8-7 record when he plays.
Key Matchup: Josh Green’s Return
One player to keep an eye on is Josh Green, who has missed 30 regular-season games due to a shoulder injury. As he is expected to return, he could prove pivotal for the Hornets. While he has not been asked to take on a starring role in his career thus far, his ability to enhance the team’s guard defense and three-point shooting is crucial.
The Bulls, who heavily rely on their guard play and driving to the basket, will certainly test Green. Although he may not be an elite defender or shooter, his capability to keep up with taller guards like Josh Giddey and hit open shots will be invaluable for the Hornets, especially given the shooting inconsistencies that have plagued the team.
Projected Starting Lineup
The expected starting lineups for tonight’s game are as follows:
Hornets
Point Guard: KJ Simpson
Shooting Guard: Kon Knueppel
Small Forward: Brandon Miller
Power Forward: Miles Bridges
Center: Ryan Kalkbrenner
Bulls
Point Guard: Josh Giddey
Shooting Guard: Coby White
Small Forward: Isaac Okoro
Power Forward: Matas Buzelis
Center: Nikola Vucevic
As the Hornets gear up to face the Bulls, the stakes are high. A win could propel Charlotte further into the play-in conversation, while a loss could deepen the struggles for both teams. With injuries and shooting woes looming large, tonight’s game promises to be a compelling contest.
