Long Losing Streaks Collide as Hornets Host Grizzlies
Injury Report
Hornets: OUT Mark Williams (back), LaMelo Ball (ankle); DAY-TO-DAY Grant Williams (recently traded), Vasilije Micic (recently traded), Tre Mann (recently traded), Seth Curry (recently traded), Davis Bertans (recently traded), Kyle Lowry (not with team)
Grizzlies: OUT Ja Morant (shoulder), Brandon Clarke (achilles), Marcus Smart (finger), Jake LaRavia (ankle), Ziaire Williams (hand), Desmond Bane (Ankle) ; QUESTIONABLE Derrick Rose (ankle)
Game Preview
The Hornets (10-41) are back home on Saturday as the Memphis Grizzles (18-34) come to town. Charlotte is on the second night of a back-to-back after falling to Milwaukee last night, their ninth loss in a row. Memphis hasn't played since Thursday, but is riding an eight-game losing streak in their own right.
Following a busy trade deadline for the Hornets on Thursday, Charlotte has a host of reinforcements in Grant Williams, Vasilije Micic, Tre Mann, Seth Curry, and Davis Bertans waiting in the wings. With how decimated by injury Charlotte has been this season, the quintet of viable rotation players will surely be a welcome sight.
Memphis has been bit by the injury bug as well, particularly with Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, and Brandon Clarke on the shelf. For a team that won 51 games last season and added to their roster to compete once again, it is surely a tough pill to swallow that 50 losses may be on the table this season.
Key Matchup: Jaren Jackson Jr. vs. Nick Richards
In what is one of the most winnable matchups of the season for Charlotte, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the biggest block in the road to breaking the losing streak.
Jackson Jr. is averaging 22.2pts/5.5reb/1.6blk/1.0stl this season, and his scoring has been even higher lately with some more starters injured. While Memphis may not have been hoping for him to engine this offense coming into the season, he is certainly capable of doing so when he's on.
Richards continues to fill-in as the starting center for the Hornets while starter Mark Williams nurses his back injury. If he, and the rest of the team, can hone in on Jackson Jr., Charlotte may very well be able to avoid this losing streak making its way to double-digits.
Predicted Starting Fives
| Position | Charlotte Hornets | Memphis Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
PG | Cody Martin | Jacob Gilyard |
SG | Brandon Miller | Luke Kennard |
SF | Leaky Black | Vince Williams Jr. |
PF | Miles Bridges | GG Jackson II |
C | Nick Richards | Jaren Jackson Jr. |
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