What: Charlotte Hornets (18-57) (10-27 home) vs Portland Trail Blazers (19-58) (8-29 away)
When: 7:00pm Eastern
Where: Spectrum Center; Charlotte, NC
How to watch: Bally Sports Southeast, NBA League Pass
Outfitting: Hornets–Association (white), Blazers–Icon (black)
Game Lines: Hornets -1.5 (favored!), O/U 212.5
Injuries: (big breath in…)
Hornets: Miles Bridges-questionable (wrist), Brandon Miller-questionable (wrist), Grant Williams-questionable (ankle), Vasilije Micic-doubtful (shoulder), LaMelo Ball-out (ankle), Cody Martin-out (ankle), Seth Curry-out (ankle), Mark Williams-out (back)
Trail Blazers: Jerami Grant-doubtful (hamstring), Justin Minaya-doubtful (back), Malcolm Brogdon-out (elbow), Anfernee Simons-out (knee), Matisse Thybulle-out (ankle), Shaedon Sharpe-out (abdomen), Robert Williams III-out (knee)
Some may find it interesting that the Charlotte Hornets have added a handful of players to the injury report tonight after all of those players finished the game in seemingly good health on Monday night. It’s almost as if the Hornets aren’t too keen on winning the game against the Trail Blazers, who are also looking for any reason possible to add players to their injury report.
This game might legitimately be the most consequential game the Hornets have played in a long time. The two teams are separated by one game in the standings, meaning tonight’s game will have a significant impact on lottery odds next month. A Hornets loss gives them two games of separation from the Blazers, who have lost 10 in a row and seem content to not win any more games this season. The teams are currently jostling for position between the four and five spot in the draft, which is a difference of 6% and 2% for a top four pick and the top pick respectively. A Hornets loss also ties them with the Spurs for the three spot.
All that is to say that you should prepare yourself for some bad basketball. The coaches and players that are on the floor are going to do whatever they can to win. There shouldn’t be a lack of effort. But the roster decisions are going to ensure that the weakest defensible rosters take the floor.
