Charlotte Hornets(22-27) vs. Philadelphia 76ers(11-40)
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Television: SportSouth
Radio: WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan)
Last meeting: Charlotte 109, Philadelphia 91
Series history(since original Hornets first season in 1988-89): CHA leads series 52-39
The Charlotte Hornets hope to make it 4 straight wins tonight, as they pay a visit to Philadelphia to face the 76ers in a Eastern Conference match-up. Charlotte is coming off a win over the Washington Wizards back on Thursday night at "The Hive", behind Gerald Henderson's 27 point performance to lead the Hornets, while Philadelphia on the other hand suffered a 107-96 loss at the hands of the Celtics last night in Boston.
Scouting the Hornets
Over the last few games, the Charlotte Hornets have been playing good basketball with a 12-3 mark over a 15-game span. In Thursday's game at home against Washington, which saw Charlotte come back to win 94-87, the Hornets blocked a season high 15 shots, which was good for the second-best game total in blocks in the history of Charlotte NBA basketball(16 was the franchise record set back on November 25, 2009). Tonight in Philly, the Hornets are out for their fourth-straight win, as they battle the 76ers in the first of a back-to-back set, with Charlotte returning home on Sunday to face the Pacers.
Scouting the 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a loss at the hands of the Celtics last night in Boston, but they have been playing well on the home floor of the Wells Fargo Center, winning three straight games recently, and they're hoping to aim for their fourth-straight home win as they welcome in the Charlotte Hornets to town tonight. Michael Carter-Williams is somewhat probable for Philadelphia, after missing last night's game with a right toe injury, as the 76ers are hoping for a major bounce back in tonight's game.
Next 2 games for the Hornets(Home games in Purple, Road games in Teal)
Sunday: Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte(6:00 p.m.)
Tuesday: Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
All-Star Break(February 13th-20th)
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.
87
94
After a rough first half, which led to head coach Steve Clifford calling out his team, the Charlotte Hornets would come out firing and unleashing their frustrations from that first half, and turning it into paydirt, coming away with a 94-87 win over the Washington Wizards last night at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets are now 22-27 on the season and holding on to the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Wizards dropped to 31-20.
The star of the night for Charlotte was Gerald Henderson, who would spark the Hornets run, which was a 14-4 run to end the game. "We weren't in our spots, we weren't helping each other, and we didn't have any energy." said Henderson, who finished with 27 points to lead the way for the Hornets in the win. "In the second half, we came out with more than that."
Last night's win marked the fifth straight time Charlotte has defeated Washington, and they also got a little bit of help from Jason Maxiell, who came out of nowhere with 7 blocked shots to go with 11 points off the bench for the Hornets. Also with 11 points each on the night for Charlotte were Lance Stephenson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, while Brian Roberts continued to do well stepping in the place of Kemba Walker had 12 points for Charlotte in the win. The Hornets finished with a 43.4% field goal percentage on the night, while dominating the rebounding battle by a plus-13 margin(50-37).
Washington had a rough go of it, as head coach Randy Wittman wasn't pleased with his team's effort in the second half. "For whatever reason, we take it upon ourselves to say, 'This is a time for me.'" Wittman quoted. Paul Pierce led the way for the Wizards with 19 points, while John Wall would add in 15. The Hornets next game will come on Saturday night in Philadelphia, as they take on the 76ers at 7:30 p.m. inside the Wells Fargo Center, while their next home game will come on Sunday as they take on the Indiana Pacers for a 6:00 p.m. tip-off at "The Hive".
Washington Wizards(31-19; 5-5 in Southeast Division play) vs. Charlotte Hornets(21-27; 5-4 in Southeast Division play)
Time Warner Cable Arena
Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Television: SportSouth
Radio: WFNZ-AM(610 The Fan)
Last meeting: Charlotte 92, Washington 88(Monday at Washington)
Series history(since original Hornets first season in 1988-89): CHA leads series 52-43 all-time
Coming off the heels of a 92-88 win on Monday, the Charlotte Hornets will once again face the Washington Wizards, this time on the home floor of Time Warner Cable Arena on Thursday night. Charlotte comes in sitting in 7th place in the Eastern Conference by themselves, while the Wizards come in losers of 4 straight, with their most recent setback coming last night in Atlanta.
Scouting the Wizards
The Wizards suffered their 4th straight loss last night in Atlanta, as they dropped a 105-96 decision at the hands of the league and Eastern Conference leading Atlanta Hawks. Prior to that, the Wizards fell in a tight decision on their home floor of the Verizon Center on Monday against the Hornets, losing 92-88. Washington hopes that John Wall and Bradley Beal can help the Wizards end their 4-game slide tonight as they continue their road trip in Charlotte against the Hornets.
Scouting the Hornets
Things are starting to come together over the last few games for the Charlotte Hornets, as they find themselves in seventh place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, and they've been starting to pick up the tempo, as they are missing Kemba Walker, who is out for the next 6 weeks. Tonight, the Hornets are back at it, as they welcome in the Washington Wizards to "The Hive", looking for another solid performance, as well as another win.
Next 3 games for the Hornets(Home games in Purple, Road games in Teal)
Saturday: Charlotte @ Philadelphia 76ers(7:30 p.m.)
Sunday: Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte(6:00 p.m.)
Tuesday: Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte(7:00 p.m.)
All-Star Break: February 13th-15th
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.
