The New Orleans Pelicans, particularly on the offensive front, pose a challenge for the Charlotte Hornets as they clash on Friday night.
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Entering a potentially formidable phase, the New Orleans Pelicans, particularly on the offensive front, pose a challenge for the Charlotte Hornets as they clash on Friday night in Charlotte, N.C. Displaying their offensive prowess, the Pelicans achieved their highest point total of the season in a commanding 142-122 road triumph against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
Enduring a challenging stretch, the Hornets suffered defeats in their last two encounters against the Heat, with the most recent being a 115-104 loss on Wednesday in Miami.
Charlotte grapples with a myriad of challenges, encompassing a mounting injury toll and defensive struggles exacerbated by offensive turnovers, which, in turn, contribute to opponents capitalizing on fastbreak points. The Hornets’ recent struggles are evident, having dropped six of their last eight games.
For the Hornets, Ball (ankle injury), Martin (knee injury), and Ntilikina (knee injury) will not be playing the game. Besides, Washington (shoulder injury) and Williams (back injury) are questionable for the game. As for the Pelicans, Nance (illness) and Ryan (elbow injury) will be sitting this one out. Moreover, Seabron (injury) and Williamson (ankle injury) might not play the game.
Notching a season-best 40 points, Brandon Ingram took the helm for the Pelicans in Washington. Although he has led New Orleans in scoring only twice in the last eight games, there’s a special motivation for him in Friday night’s matchup in his home state.
Ingram didn’t carry the load solo. Trey Murphy III made a significant impact, notching 27 points and hitting 6 out of 7 attempts from beyond the arc in just his fifth appearance of the season. This served as a valuable contribution for the Pelicans, especially given that they were without Zion Williamson in Wednesday’s game. Williamson, who had delivered a 36-point performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, was designated as day-to-day due to a sore ankle.
Over the last six games, Terry Rozier has taken charge as Charlotte’s top scorer in four instances, notably averaging 31.0 points across the two matchups against Miami. Adding to the Hornets’ achievements, Brandon Miller has accomplished a unique feat by hitting two or more 3-pointers in eight consecutive games, marking a rookie achievement that had never been attained in Charlotte before.
The Hornets are in need of contributions from various players, especially given the departure of forward P.J. Washington from the Miami game due to a shoulder contusion. This has cast uncertainty on his availability for the upcoming matchup against the Pelicans. Additionally, Charlotte’s center, Mark Williams, has been sidelined for both games this week due to a back ailment.
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