Can the Charlotte Hornets Clip the Wings of LA at Crypto.com Arena?
As the Charlotte Hornets prepare to face off against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena, fans are looking for signs of hope after a challenging season. The Hornets' recent performance has been a rollercoaster, but there's more to this team than meets the eye.
On December 24, in their own hive at Spectrum Center, Charlotte showed flashes of brilliance against Denver Nuggets despite falling short with a final score of 95-102. The Hornets demonstrated resilience and an ability to draw fouls effectively, earning 23 free throw attempts and making an impressive 83 percent. Their bench came alive with 45 points, showcasing depth that could be pivotal in upcoming games.
However, turnovers were a thorn in their side as they gave up possession 18 times leading to crucial points for Denver. This is an area where CHA must tighten up if they want to secure more wins. Additionally, while their three-point shooting wasn't stellar at just 29 percent from beyond the arc against Denver, it's something that can fluctuate game by game.
Looking back further on December 21 against Indiana Pacers on enemy territory revealed another layer of this team's potential despite being overwhelmed with a scoreline of 113-144. The offensive output was higher with CHA scoring big in paint (60 points). Their two-point field goal percentage was strong at 58 percent showing they can be efficient inside.
The most telling game might have been on December 19 when CHA visited Toronto Raptors and put up a good fight before succumbing with a final tally of 99-114. They led for over half an hour during playtime which indicates that when they click into gear defensively and manage possessions well (only one team turnover), they can control games effectively.
What does all this mean for their upcoming clash? It suggests that if Charlotte focuses on reducing turnovers and capitalizes on its ability to draw fouls while maintaining efficiency inside the arc as seen against Indiana Pacers, there’s potential for an upset even away from home.
The Clippers will not make it easy; they're known for their aggressive defense and will challenge every shot inside. But if CHA brings its A-game like we've seen glimpses of recently – particularly from its bench players – then fans might witness quite the showdown come game night.
Hornets enthusiasts should mark their calendars for December 26th at Crypto.com Arena where tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 PM Eastern Time. For those who cannot attend in person, you can catch all action live nationally on NBA TV channel number is -216 or follow along locally via BSSC channel -693 or BSSE channel -649 depending on your location.