Charlotte (23-50 SU, 32-38-3 ATS) takes on New Orleans (35-37 SU, 33-39 ATS) from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans at 8pmET on Thursday.
These teams faced each other way back on Oct. 21 with the Pelicans winning 124-112.
The bad news is that Charlotte is going to miss the playoffs and finish 14th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference. The good news is that the Hornets and their current owner Michael Jordan, will likely pick in the top five in a loaded draft. At least Charlotte is still trying after defeating Indiana 115-109 as a 2-point underdog on March 20. They were down 21 points in that game as Kelly Oubre Jr. led the squad with 28 points. Terry Rozier added 23 points and Gordon Hayward chipped in with 22.
OFFICIAL: We have signed center @iamnickrichards to a multi-year contract extension.
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— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) March 22, 2023
Charlotte doesn't lack for talent in the backcourt. It's the frontcourt where they have major issues, hence the rebounding problems. Rookie Mark Williams (7-0, 240) could help out but he's out indefinitely due to a thumb injury. The Hornets have played most of the season without point guard LaMelo Ball, who is out for the season with an ankle injury.
Without Williams and with Mason Plumlee traded, Nick Richards (7.9ppg, 6.1rpg) has been giving more time and while his numbers are inconsistent offensively, he did put up 14 points and 17 rebounds against the Pacers. Overall, the Hornets rank 30th in the NBA in three-point percentage (32.7%) and 29th in field goal percentage (45.5%).
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