Hornets Extra: Hornets @ Hawks

Charlotte Hornets(4-13; 2-2 in Southeast Division Play) vs. Atlanta Hawks(8-6; 2-1 in Southeast Division play)

Philips Arena, Atlanta

Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

Television: SportSouth

Radio: WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan)

Last meeting: Charlotte 122, Atlanta 119(November 7th at Charlotte)

Series history(since original Hornets first season in 1988-89): ATL leads series 55-43

The struggle bus has been a rough one for the Charlotte Hornets over the last few weeks, as they come in with a 8-game losing streak entering tonight's road contest in Atlanta against the Hawks.  The last time these two teams got together in the first match-up of the "Interstate Series", the Hornets and Hawks would rage on back and forth until Lance Stephenson would nail home a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Charlotte Hornets a 122-119 win over Atlanta in double overtime back on November 7th at "The Hive".  The Hornets are hoping that their long losing skid does come to an end tonight in Atlanta against a Hawks team that always like to give teams a run for their money.

Scouting the Hornets

If you haven't been following the struggles of the Charlotte Hornets for almost the last few weeks, then you know what the result is: loss after loss after loss.  Charlotte is currently in last place in the Southeast Division, and they come into this game losers of 8 straight, with the most recent defeat coming last night at Time Warner Cable Arena as Golden State came away with a 105-101 win over the Hornets.  With injuries taking a toll on the team, some think Hornets head coach Steve Clifford could be on the "Hot Seat", and the Hornets are hoping that they can put an end to this long losing skid tonight in Atlanta as they face the Hawks.

Scouting the Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks got back on the right track last night at Philips Arena as they cruised to a 100-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans behind Jeff Teague's 26 point outing to lead Atlanta.  Teague is of course one of the Hawks many star players that can light up the scoreboard each night, along with Al Horford, Paul Millsap, and three-point specialist Kyle Korver.  Charlotte must try to contain the three tonight, as the Hawks are out for some revenge after what Lance Stephenson did to them back on November 7th in Charlotte, as they welcome in the Hornets to the "Highlight Factory" for another "Interstate Series" match-up tonight.

Next 4 games for the Hornets(Home games in Purple, Road games in Teal)

Wednesday: Chicago Bulls vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
Friday: New York Knicks vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
December 10th: Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
December 12th: Charlotte @ Memphis Grizzlies(8:00 p.m.)

NOTES: All SportSouth telecasts begin with "Hornets Live" 30 minutes before tip-off; All Hornets games can be heard locally on flagship station WFNZ-AM (610 The Fan) and throughout the Carolinas on the Hornets Radio Network.

30 Teams in 30 Days: Atlanta Hawks

With the 2014-15 NBA season right around the corner, we are bringing back our annual preview series of all 30 teams in the NBA, and their expectations for the 2014-15 season, in 30 days for the next few weeks.  We call this series "30 Teams in 30 Days", and we begin this edition by previewing the Atlanta Hawks, as they look to have a strong year with some big names returning to the lineup in Atlanta this season.

Last season's record: 38-44, lost to Indiana in Eastern Conference first round

Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer(2nd season, 38-44)

New Addition: Kent Bazemore

Arena: Philips Arena(18,118)

Website: Hawks.com

Atlanta finished 8th in the Eastern Conference standings last season, but that was well worthy enough for the team to secure the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, setting up a showdown with the Indiana Pacers, and Atlanta, without big man Al Horford, took the Pacers to the limit, but in the end, the Pacers would eliminate Atlanta in 7 games, but on and all, it was somewhat of a learning process for Mike Budenholzer, the former San Antonio Spurs assistant who did well in his first season as Hawks head coach.

This season, the Hawks could be an idea threat in the Eastern Conference with the return of Horford to the lineup, and the return of Elton Brand to the team as well, as well as the addition of Kent Bazemore, make this year's edition of the Atlanta Hawks hungry for another return trip to the NBA Playoffs, as they look to put a little bit of controversy behind them and focus on winning games on the floor in the "Highlight Factory" to get Atlanta excited about their team in the 2014-15 season.

Upcoming team previews in the "30 Teams in 30 Days" series

• Tuesday: Orlando Magic
• Wednesday: Miami Heat
• Thursday: New Orleans Pelicans
• Friday: Houston Rockets