Hornets Headed to Toronto to Try and Snap Losing Streak
Injury Report
Hornets: OUT Mark Williams (back), LaMelo Ball (ankle), Seth Curry (ankle), Cody Martin (ankle); PROBABLE Brandon Miller (back
Trail Blazers: OUT Scottie Barnes (hand)
Game Preview
The Hornets (15-45) look to get back on track on Sunday as they visit the Toronto Raptors (22-38). Charlotte has dropped four of their last five games, and have added Cody Martin and Seth Curry to a list of injuries that already included key starters LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams. Toronto has lost back-to-back games themselves, and will be without young centerpiece Scottie Barnes who is out with a hand injury.
Charlotte is 5-4 since adding all of the new players to roster at the trade deadline, largely on the back of some very strong defensive efforts. The offense on the other hand has struggled mightily over the same period, averaging just 105.7 points per game.
Despite being only a single spot higher than the Hornets in the Eastern Conference standings, the 12th place Raptors are only four games out of a Play-In spot. The team leads the league in fast-break points and is fourth in points in the paint, as they succeed most when they can find ample high-efficiency shots near the rim.
Key Matchup: Nick Richards vs Jakob Poeltl
As mentioned above, the Raptors succeed most often when they can generate lots of high-efficiency looks near the rim. Enter Nick Richards.
Filling in for starter Mark Williams has been no easy task for Richards. While a serviceable rebounder, Richards ranks 485th in the NBA in defensive rating with a 119.3.
His matchup, Poeltl, is slightly better in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage, and sports a 114.5 defensive rating himself.
If the Hornets are going to get back on track tonight, Richards is going to have to step up to the plate in a reasonable spot to do so and control the paint on both ends of the court.
Predicted Starting Fives
| Position | Charlotte Hornets | Toronto Raptors |
|---|---|---|
PG | Tre Mann | Immanuel Quickley |
SG | Brandon Miller | Gary Trent Jr. |
SF | Bryce McGowens | R.J. Barrett |
PF | Miles Bridges | Kelly Olynyk |
C | Nick Richards | Jakob Poeltl |
You can follow us for future by liking us on Facebook & following us X:
Facebook - All Hornets
X - @SI_Hornets and Ian Black at @ian_black14
