Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Getting you ready for today's Hornets game.

Author:
Ian Black
Dec 2, 2023 1:38 PM EST

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Injury Report

Hornets: OUT LaMelo Ball (R ankle), Cody Martin (L Knee), Frank Ntilikina (L Tibia); QUESTIONABLE Brandon Miller (L ankle), Nick Richards (concussion)

Pacers: OUT Jaden McDaniels (ankle), Jordan McLaughlin (knee), Jaylen Clark (achilles); DOUBTFUL Anthony Edwards (hip)

Game Preview

The Hornets (6-11) are at home on Saturday to take on the Timberwolves (14-4). The Hornets will be trying to weather the storm with LaMelo Ball on the shelf with injury for the foreseeable future. Charlotte stole one on the road against the Nets on Thursday behind a 37-point, 13-assist explosion from Terry Rozier.

Beyond the explosive performance from Rozier, the Hornets shot 21/36 (58.3%) from three-point range in what was one of the team's best shooting performances of the season. After starting the season as by far the worst shooting team from range, the Hornets have snuck their way up to a 36.6% clip from three, good for 14th-best in the league. If the team can keep shooting with such success, time without their star point guard may be able to pass a bit easier.

The Timberwolves have been a surging success story so far this season as they currently sit with the best record in the Western Conference. Coming into the game, Minnesota has won eight of their last ten games, including three-straight.

The key to success for Minnesota this season has been an outstandingly stout defense. Anchored by the power of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, Minnesota has a league-leading 105.9 defensive rating.

With that said, there may be a bit of an opening tonight for the Hornets. Beyond Gobert, Jaden McDaniels has been an extremely important element to Minnesota's defensive success with his versatility and knack for disruption. With him out, and ascending star and leading scorer Anthony Edwards potentially joining him, there are absolutely some dents in the armor.

Key Matchup: Terry Rozier versus Mike Conley

It's easy to look at the front courts for both teams and see Mark Williams vs Rudy Gobert and Miles Bridges vs Karl-Anthony Towns and think the game will be decided there. And it very well may be! Taking a step back and looking at where these offenses will get their lead from though, Rozier and Conley will have a major part in the success of their squads.

The veteran guards may or may not directly matchup for the majority of the game, but both will act as the main facilitator for their respective squads. When star players are out- as they very well may be for both squads tonight- creating cohesion efficiently to cover the gaps they leave behind is imperative.

Gobert and Towns are going to make life very difficult for the Hornets to score in the paint, a location which the Hornets rely on more than any other team in the NBA. Creating space and finding good looks from range will be imperative to remain competitive. Doing so against an older, but extremely savvy Mike Conley is no simple task.

Not only will Rozier be the central force for the Hornets offense, but he has a chance to player a major role defensively as well. While Minnesota may be looking for different avenues of scoring with a shaken up lineup, they will also have to overcome the fact that they are already bottom-five in the NBA in turnovers committed.

If Rozier is able to keep his head on a swivel, and manufacture pressure at the right times, there will absolutely be the opportunities throughout the night to take advantage of this weakness.

Predicted Starting Fives