Can the Charlotte Hornets Sting Back at the Smoothie King Center?
As the Charlotte Hornets prepare to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, fans are left wondering if their team can bounce back from a series of tough games. The Hornets have been struggling with consistency this season, and their recent performances have left much to be desired.
In their last outing on January 14 against the Miami Heat, CHA scored only 87 points, a reflection of their offensive woes. With a shooting percentage of just 35 percent from the field and an even more concerning 24 percent from beyond the arc, it's clear that shot selection and execution are areas in need of immediate attention. Despite grabbing an impressive total of 57 rebounds, they were unable to capitalize on these opportunities as evidenced by their time leading: a non-existent figure.
The game prior to that was not any kinder to CHA. On January 13 against San Antonio Spurs, they allowed a staggering 135 points while managing only 99 themselves. Their defensive rating was alarmingly high at over 122 points per hundred possessions – indicative of significant lapses on defense that need tightening up before facing NOP.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for CHA fans. There were some positives in these games that could serve as building blocks for improvement. For instance, in both matches combined they drew over thirty fouls and maintained free throw percentages above seventy percent which shows an ability to get to the line effectively.
Looking ahead at NOP’s recent performance against Sacramento Kings on January 11 where they lost with a scoreline reflecting defensive shortcomings (123-98), there might be room for optimism for CHA supporters. If CHA can exploit similar weaknesses in NOP's defense while shoring up their own vulnerabilities – particularly by reducing turnovers which stood at fifteen against MIA – then there is potential for them to emerge victorious.
It is imperative that players like Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball step up offensively while also getting support from key bench players who contributed just fifteen points in Miami; depth could be crucial here.
The upcoming game scheduled for January 17th promises another test for this young Hornets squad as they seek redemption on NOP’s home court at eight o'clock Eastern Time. Fans eager to see if CHA can turn things around should tune into BSSE channel number six hundred forty-nine or attend live if possible; witnessing whether this team can indeed sting back after recent setbacks will certainly make for compelling viewing.