The LA Clippers look to start a new win streak against the visiting Charlotte Hornets. Keep reading for a full preview of the Clippers’ game against the Hornets.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal, NBA TV
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: John Wall – Kawhi Leonard – Nicolas Batum – Marcus Morris – Moses Brown
Hornets: LaMelo Ball – Kelly Oubre Jr. – Gordon Hayward – P.J. Washington – Mason Plumlee
Injury Report
Clippers: Paul George (left knee) questionable, Reggie Jackson (left Achilles) questionable, Norman Powell (left groin) questionable, Ivica Zubac (left knee) questionable, Brandon Boston Jr. Out (G League Assignment), Jason Preston Out (G League Assignment), Moussa Diabate Out (G League Assignment)
Hornets: Terry Rozier (right hip) doubtful, Dennis Smith Jr. (left ankle) out, Cody Martin (left knee) out, Mark Williams (G League Assignment), Bryce McGowens (G League Assignment)
The Big Picture
It could be a game of reinforcements for the short-handed Clippers. Paul George, Reggie Jackson, Ivica Zubac, and Norman Powell have all been upgraded to questionable against the Hornets and there is anticipation that they could all return to the lineup this game. One sign that a few of them might be back on the court is the Clippers young players have all been assigned to the Ontario Clippers for the G League Winter Showcase, possibly signaling that they won’t be needed.
It would be a great sign for the Clippers to be able to have a healthy roster and a home game to continue to build up the on-court chemistry and cohesiveness that they need as they prepare to head out on a five-game road trip that will carry them through the end of the month.
The Clippers struggled at home their last game against the Washington Wizards, but managed to rally back and keep the game close enough for Kawhi Leonard to carry them home. Leonard is still clearly working himself back up to game speed, but with each game he plays he’s looking more and more comfortable, with the Wizards game being arguably his best performance of the season so far.
The Clippers also have had a nice, three-day break in between the Wizards game and this game and so that should help rejuvenate them a little bit and have them ready to go.
The Antagonist
The Charlotte Hornets come to town sporting one of the worst records in the NBA at 8-23. The only team that has a worse record is the 8-25 Detroit Pistons. Make no mistake, this is a bad team: they are one of the worst teams in the NBA on both ends of the floor. They are 24th in the league in points per game at 110.8 and dead last in offensive rating at 108.7. On the defensive end, they are 28th in opponents points per game at 117.5 and 27th in defensive rating at 115.2. Just the other day, head coach Steve Clifford, rather than taking questions from the media in his postgame availability, went on a rant about how the team doesn’t play any defense and is instead worried about how many points they’ll score.
One of the major reasons as to why the Hornets have been so awful is that they’ve only had star point guard LaMelo Ball for seven games this season. He did not make his season-debut until Nov. 12 due to an ankle injury. He returned for three games before being sidelined again for 11 more games due to tweaking the same ankle.
He has since returned to the lineup for the last four games and was instrumental in pulling off a huge win on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Monday. Even with Ball, this team is still not goodm but he does help elevate them. He gives the team a legit go-to guy who is explosive offensively, as well as a star playmaker. In the four games he’s been back, he’s had a game with 11 assists and one with 12 assists. He’s also averaged 26 points on 48.8 percent shooting from the field in those four games.
Slowing down Ball is the key for the Clippers to beating the Hornets. The Clippers will also need to play better defense overall as they gave up 117 points to the Hornets in their last meeting without Ball even playing, and needed a Kawhi Leonard game-winner to finish the game.
