The Charlotte Hornets seek their fourth consecutive victory as they face the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies. The game is set for Wednesday and will mark the first meeting of the season between the two teams. Last season, the Grizzlies won both matchups against the Hornets.
Recent Performance of the Hornets
The Hornets enter this matchup with confidence, having won their last three games. Their most recent victory was a commanding 130-93 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. During this stretch, the team’s point differential has surged to +68.
- Brandon Miller: The standout player, Miller scored 30 points, shooting an impressive 9/11 from the field and 6/8 from beyond the arc.
- The Hornets are currently 19-28 and have moved to the eleventh seed in the Eastern Conference following these victories.
- The last play-in spot is occupied by the Atlanta Hawks, who are 3.5 games ahead of the Hornets.
It’s been a challenging journey for the Hornets, as they haven’t made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. To improve their standings, winning against teams like the Grizzlies is crucial.
The Struggles of the Grizzlies
On the other hand, the Grizzlies come into this game on a disappointing three-game losing streak. Their most recent loss was a 108-99 defeat to the Houston Rockets, in which they struggled offensively, hitting only 7 of 37 attempts from three-point range and managing a mere 37.1% from the field overall.
- Offensive Rating: The Grizzlies rank 24th in the NBA with a 112.8 offensive rating.
- Despite a league-average defense, their net rating of -1.4 places them 20th overall.
Key Matchup: Centers Analyzed
The matchup between the two teams’ big men will be critical. For the Hornets, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Moussa Diabaté have emerged as vital contributors. Diabaté has averaged 8.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks on an impressive 63.3% shooting. Kalkbrenner, a rookie from Duke, contributes 8.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while adapting to the NBA.
The Grizzlies, missing star player Ja Morant due to injury, will rely heavily on Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama, who average 18.9 and 14.0 points per game, respectively. If the Hornets can contain these two players, they will further solidify their chances of victory.
Injury Report
- Hornets:
- OUT: Mason Plumlee (Groin), K.J. Simpson (Hip)
- QUESTIONABLE: Ryan Kalkbrenner (Wrist), Brandon Miller (Ankle)
- Grizzlies:
- OUT: Brandon Clarke (Calf), Zach Edey (Ankle), Scotty Pippen Jr. (Toe), Ja Morant (Elbow), Ty Jerome (Calf)
Projected Starting Lineups
| Position | Charlotte Hornets | Memphis Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
| Point Guard | LaMelo Ball | Cam Spencer |
| Shooting Guard | Brandon Miller | Cedric Coward |
| Small Forward | Kon Knueppel | Jaylen Wells |
| Power Forward | Miles Bridges | Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| Center | Ryan Kalkbrenner | Santi Aldama |
With both teams facing distinct challenges, this game promises to be a critical matchup in the Hornets’ quest for a playoff berth while the Grizzlies look to turn their fortunes around.
