What: Charlotte Hornets (14-42) (5-22 away) at Golden State Warriors (30-27) (16-13 home)
When: 10:00pm Eastern
Where: Chase Center; San Francisco, CA
How to watch: FanDuel Sports Network, NBA League Pass
Outfitting: Hornets–City (mint), Warrior–Statement (black)
Game Lines: Hornets +17.5, Hornets money line +810, O/U 220.5
I don’t know how the Hornets score tonight. The injury reports aren’t out yet, but I’d expect one or both LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams to sit. The Hornets have scored exactly 88 points in their last two games. The Warriors have had one of the best defenses in the league since acquiring Jimmy Butler. Assuming they try a little bit, the Hornets will have all sorts of trouble putting the ball in the basket.
I think a lot of people questioned the fit of Jimmy Butler and his lack of outside shooting on a Warriors team that made their reputation on shooting. However, the fit has been seamless. His ability to facilitate and get to the free throw line has been a nice complement to the rest of the Warriors perimeter-oriented players. Lineups with both Butler and Draymond Green have been crushing people. The pair’s basketball IQ seems to make up for their lack of outside shooting, and the Warriors get enough shooting around them with Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Buddy Hield.
The Warriors don’t let Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney share the floor at the same time. If they do have a big with the former two, it’s been rookie Quentin Post, who despite his name takes most of his shots from behind the 3-point line.
I don’t have high hopes for tonight after the last two beatdowns. Maybe they’ll surprise us.
