213hoops.com
Clippers vs Hornets Game Preview: Snapping the Slide
The Clippers will look to snap a two-game losing streak in a home game against the lottery-bound Charlotte Hornets.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:30 PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal, NBA TV
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Terance Mann – Paul George – Amir Coffey – Ivica Zubac
Hornets: Terry Rozier – Brandon Miller – Gordon Hayward – Miles Bridges – Nick Richards
Injury Report
Clippers: Kawhi Leonard questionable (hip), Mason Plumlee out (MCL), Moussa Diabate out (hip).
Hornets: LaMelo Ball out (ankle), Brandon Miller questionable (ankle), Frank Ntilikina out (leg), Mark Williams doubtful (back).
The Big Picture
The LA Clippers continue a home-stand to close out the year against the visiting Charlotte Hornets. They’re coming off a deflating loss against the Boston Celtics during which they were buried under an avalanche of three-point shots.
Prior to that the Clippers had lost a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder that had snapped their nine game winning streak. Despite the past two losses, the Clippers have built a sense of cohesiveness that was lacking in the immediate aftermath of the James Harden trade.
Some of those same concerns are still present, but there’s no question they have been playing better. But their margin for error becomes very slim when missing one of their stars, as has been the case without Kawhi Leonard the past two games.
Leonard’s injury is considered day to day and isn’t presumed to be anything serious so Clippers fans don’t need to get all up in arms anytime soon.
The Antagonist
The Charlotte Hornets come to town as one of the most futile teams in the NBA. They’re 7-20 and have lost seven straight games. They’re also missing LaMelo Ball who is dealing with an ankle injury.
Ball is the engine that makes the Hornets go and losing him drastically alters how to game-plan for them. This team just does not have enough to withstand his absence. They’re just not a good team.
Even without Leonard, this is a game that the Clippers should win. That’s pretty much all that needs to be said. This game shouldn’t be close unless the Clippers experience some sort of post-Christmas lethargy or something along those lines.
Clippers vs Hornets Game Preview: Snapping the Slide
David Yapkowitz