After winning 5 games in the row, the Hornets suffered their first defeat in over a week on the road in Atlanta 115-105. The Hornets were playing a back-to-back, while the Hawks were well rested – not having played since Wednesday. Miles Bridges was spectacular with 35 points, but the rest of the team didn’t play up to their normal standards. This was the first of a stretch where seven of the next eight Hornets games are on the road.
Interior defense:
Clint Capela is not a scorer, so Capela leading the Hawks in scoring with 20 points, while also grabbing 15 rebounds is a problem. We’ve seen the Hornets, it at times throughout this season, struggle guarding the paint. Charlotte’s only true center is Mason Plumlee, and PJ Washington is still out with an elbow injury. There have been times this season where teams have absolutely dominated the Hornets’ front line and it doesn’t seem like there is a solution to this problem without making a roster move.
Shooting Struggles:
The Hornets looked sluggish playing the 2nd night of a back-to-back, and it showed in their shooting splits. Charlotte only shot 42% from the floor, 25% from 3, and 60% from the foul line. LaMelo Ball only shot 5-18 from the floor, Rozier was 4-13 and Oubre was only 4-14. Gordon Hayward also wasn’t assertive this game, only taking 9 shots and scoring 11 points.
Road Woes:
Charlotte will look to improve their record on the road Monday against the Washington Wizards, who will be looking for a revenge game vs Charlotte after the Hornets beat them this past Wednesday. Charlotte is 4-6 on the road this season. Charlotte will need to try to solve their road woes, as they have a schedule that is front heavy with road games until January. Charlotte has a home game Friday against the Timberwolves, but that will be their only home game until December 6th.