What: Charlotte Hornets (7-18) (5-9 home) vs Philadelphia 76ers (7-16) (4-7 away)
When: 7:00pm Eastern
Where: Spectrum Center; Charlotte, NC
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
Outfitting: Hornets–Icon (teal), 76ers–Association (white)
Game Lines: Hornets +1.5, Hornets money line +110, O/U 214.5
Injuries:
Hornets: LaMelo Ball-questionable (calf), Tre Mann-out (back), Grant Williams-out (knee)
76ers: Joel Embiid-out (face), Jared McCain-out (knee), Caleb Martin-out (shoulder), Adem Bona-out (knee)
For perhaps the first time in years, the Hornets are the less injured team in their game. While LaMelo Ball is still only questionable, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s ruled out before gametime, he’s at least close to coming back. When he returns, the Hornets will be as close to full strength as we’ve seen them in recent memory.
Meanwhile the 76ers are watching their season spiral. Joel Embiid missed parts of the beginning of the season with a knee issue and never seemed fully healthy. Now he’s out with a sinus fracture that will likely keep him out a couple more weeks. The Sixers struggled badly without their star, but amidst all the rough, they found a diamond in Jared McCain. Now he’s out with a torn meniscus. They’ve won four of their last six games, but they probably aren’t feeling great since two of the main factors in that good stretch are now out for significant periods of time.
Without Embiid and McCain, the 76ers have an awkward roster. They have Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, who are the main dangermen, but neither has been as good as they’re supposed to be this season (though George had his best game of the season to this point last time they played the Hornets, of course). Kelly Oubre playing with irrational confidence trying to have a revenge game against the Hornets is also a little scary; he got off to a very hot start last time.
If LaMelo plays, it’ll be the first time we get to see LaMelo, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams on the floor together. It’ll be a little taste of what is hopefully the future of Hornets basketball. Maybe it will start with a win, if we’re lucky.
