Following a wire-to-wire win in Tampa, the L.A. Clippers (46-23) look to continue building momentum against the feisty Charlotte Hornets (33-36) Thursday afternoon. Read on for our full Clippers vs. Hornets game preview.
Clippers vs. Hornets Game Information
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
When: 4 p.m. PT
How to Watch: Bally Sports SoCal, AM 570 L.A. Sports, 1330 AM Tu Liga
Projected Starting Lineups:
L.A. Clippers: Patrick Beverley – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Marcus Morris Sr. – Ivica Zubac
Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball – Terry Rozier – Jalen McDaniels – P.J. Washington – Bismack Biyombo
Injury Report:
L.A. Clippers: Amir Coffey – OUT (Health and Safety Protocols), Serge Ibaka – OUT (Lower Back Tightness)
Charlotte Hornets: Miles Bridges – OUT (Health and Safety Protocols), Gordon Hayward – OUT (Right Foot Sprain), Caleb Martin – QUESTIONABLE (Left Thumb Dislocation), Cody Martin – OUT (Left Ankle Sprain)
The Big Picture
The Clippers’ four-game tune-up trip journeys on through Buzz City as L.A. looks to gather some sort of momentum heading into the postseason. Although LAC will have to wait at least one more game for the return of reserve center Serge Ibaka, today’s game should be another great opportunity for the rest of the Clippers’ main playoff rotation guys to sharpen it up on both ends.
Remaining just a full game ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the west’s No. 3 seed, the Clippers will need to continue handling business in the next five days. With just about every team’s playoff positioning being in flux from one through nine in the west, it remains to be seen just who will be on the Clippers’ side of the bracket a couple of days from now.
The Antagonist
Likely the toughest regular season opponent remaining for the Clippers, at least on paper, the Hornets have been one of the best NBA League Pass teams for basketball fans to watch this year. Currently tied for eighth in the east with a play-in tournament spot already clinched, Charlotte appears primed to make its first playoffs appearance in five years. The 10th youngest team by average age in the league this season, the Hornets have flown past expectations with their electric, up-tempo play despite 12 of the team’s 17 players playing in their first, second or third year in the NBA.
After falling decisively to the Clippers 125-98 in Nicolas Batum’s revenge game back in March, the Hornets will be down two of their talented wings this afternoon in Gordon Hayward and Miles Bridges. Fortunately for Charlotte, however, Rookie of the Year candidate LaMelo Ball figures to have a better showing against the Clippers this time around after injuring his wrist in the teams’ last meeting in L.A. Averaging 15.8 points, 6 rebounds and 6.2 assists, Ball has looked every bit the part of a future NBA all-star. A pair of scoring guards will also look to lead the charge for the Hornets in Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham, who’ve shown the ability to catch fire on any given night.
Clippers vs. Hornets Game Notes
- Toning Down the Turnovers: A point of emphasis made apparent by a pensive Ty Lue postgame on Tuesday, the Clippers still have a ways to go in cleaning it up on offense, both with their overall flow and limiting their giveaways. Since April 4, the Clippers have averaged 14.2 turnovers per game. After turning the ball over six times in what was 16 total Clipper turnovers against Toronto, hopefully Paul George can get back to the level of ball control he displayed last time out against the Hornets, who typically excel in scoring off of turnovers and in fast break settings.
- Staying Ready: After logging a DNP-CD against the New York Knicks, Terance Mann clocked in a 20-minute, 20-point 7-for-7 shooting gem against Toronto. While Mann’s fit next to Rondo surely raises some spacing issues offensively, Terance has consistently shown this season that positive things happen when he sees time on the floor. With yet another scrappy, athletic team on deck, it would great to see Ty Lue let Mann loose off the bench again today (as well as Jay Scrubb).
Feel free to stick around and chat down below as this article’s comment section will serve as our live game thread tonight against the Charlotte Hornets. Sign up for a free account and join the conversation!
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