The Charlotte Hornets will try to pick up where they left off prior to the All-Star break.
They won 10 of their final 11 games before the layoff, so regaining that form will be critical with Thursday night’s game against the visiting Houston Rockets.
“It’s a mindset that the group is developing,” Charlotte coach Charles Lee said. “They understand how much they need each other, how much we need them to come in and impact the game in a lot of different ways. So, proud of them.”
The Hornets have three more games without suspended center Moussa Diabate and forward Miles Bridges, who are sitting out following last week’s brawl with the Detroit Pistons. Now is no time to take a step back, swingman Brandon Miller said.
“We’ve come a long way,” Miller said. “Credit to our summer work and what we do. Our preparation every day, just stick with the basics and we’ll be fine.”
Both teams have star power on different levels.
Veteran Kevin Durant led the Rockets in scoring in four of the team’s last five games prior to the break.
“It’s real easy to play off him,” said Houston forward Jabari Smith Jr. “There’s going to be open shots. I think I’m learning in that respect.”
The Hornets won earlier this month with a 109-99 victory in Houston despite Durant’s 31 points.
Still, Durant’s impact looms large for the Rockets.
“He has been in the league a long time and you know how skilled he is,” Rockets guard Reed Sheppard said.
Houston’s Alperen Senguin was an All-Star replacement. Sheppard and Hornets rookie guard Kon Knueppel participated in the Rising Stars game last weekend.
Sheppard is adjusting to time as a point guard in the Houston lineup.
“It’s obviously different,” Sheppard said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got four guys around me that make it really easy.”
The Hornets hope Knueppel can maintain his production level. He had a busy stretch during the layoff in addition to activities, including the 3-Point Contest, in Inglewood, Calif.
“I take pride in my shot,” Knueppel said. “It’s something I put a lot of time into.”
Then earlier this week, he was back on Duke’s campus as a front-row spectator for the Syracuse-Duke game along with some of his former Duke teammates from his one college season.
Meanwhile, PJ Hall had filled in on the depleted Charlotte roster and cranked out a double-double last week in a home win over the Atlanta Hawks. He then returned to the G League for action with the Greensboro Swarm.
He said he felt good about his contributions with the Hornets.
“We got to keep pushing forward,” Hall said. “It’s a great team, a lot of young guys; we’re showing what we can do.”
Fifteen of Houston’s 33 victories have come in road games. That includes triumphs in the last four road outings.
“I think we have all the pieces,” Sheppard said. “It’s sticking together and making the right play.”
The Hornets could be closer to getting guard Coby White (right calf) on the court. He hasn’t played with Charlotte since he was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls.
–Field Level Media
