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Who: Charlotte Hornets (29-37) at Sacramento Kings (13-21)
When: Friday, March 20, 10:00 PM EST
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
TV: Fox Sports South, Comcast SportsNet California, NBA League Pass
I know you don't want to remember that game. It was awful. It was terrible. It was embarrassing. But as each day goes by, the Hornets' loss at home to the Kings looks worse and worse.
Charlotte gets a chance at redemption for that game tonight.
The Hornets' 113-106 loss to the Kings is the only victory Sacramento has had over the past two weeks. At the same time, Charlotte finds themselves in the middle of a five-game road trip, having dropped four of their last five games after starting the month 5-0.
All of this while they continue to battle for a spot in the playoffs. Entering today, the Hornets are a half-game behind Boston and Indiana for the eighth seed. To say each game at this point in the season is important vastly undermines these games.
But, there is some good news for Charlotte — the team may actually be getting some luck when it comes to injuries. Cody Zeller took part in practice yesterday and may play in tonight's game. Additionally, DeMarcus Cousins missed the Kings' last game and is questionable tonight with a right calf strain.
So what does Charlotte have to do to secure a victory against the Kings? Well, as has been the story for most of the season, improving their offense would be a nice start. The Hornets are averaging 86.8 points and 37.3 percent shooting over their last five games. That's embarrassing awful, especially when you consider that the team was averaging 105.6 points and 49.5 percent shooting during their five-game winning streak to start the month.
They also cannot sleep on the Kings, regardless of whether or not Cousins plays. Ben McLemore dropped 27 on the team and Rudy Gay added 26 during the last meeting. In Sacramento's last game Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, they shot 48.1 percent from the floor and actually outscored the Clippers 48-26 in the paint. Again, that is without DeMarcus Cousins.
Every game for Charlotte from this point out is basically a playoff game. A win tonight could be cathartic for the team, The road to redemption starts now.