No one is playing better than the Charlotte Hornets right now but, with the playoffs in sight, how seriously should Charlotte be taken in the East?
The Charlotte Hornets are playing so good that no one seems to be paying attention.
Or maybe it’s because they don’t want to.
Every team in the Eastern Conference, specifically the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, should be paying swift attention to the Charlotte Hornets. What Steve Clifford has done with this team recently is beyond impressive.
Since Jan 18, the Charlotte Hornets are 19-6 and own the NBA’s third best record. Of course, the only two teams that have been better during that stretch have been the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs. That’s not horrible company to be a part of. During that span, the Hornets have the NBA’s 12 best offense and5th best defense. Their net rating, of 5.8, is good for 5th best.
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Of course, if you want to microscope a little closer, the Hornets have won 15 of their last 18 games. During that span, Kemba Walker is averaging 24 points, six assists and five rebounds per game. Perhaps most impressively, he’s a plus-10 when he’s on the court.
To sum up just how impressive the Hornets have been as of late, here are a few facts:
- CHA has won seven straight games for the first time since 2002
- The Hornets are nine games over .500 for the first time since 2000-01
- Own the NBA’s longest winning streak
- CHA sits in the East’s 5th seed; 1.5 games back of the 3rd seed
Whether you like it or not, it’s time to start viewing the Charlotte Hornets as a potential player in the Eastern Conference. I don’t think anyone believes that they’re going to upset the Cleveland Cavaliers or make a surprise run to the NBA Finals, but they could provide some headaches in the playoffs.
For one, the Hornets are the NBA’s fourth best three-point shooting team. They’re averaging 10 makes per game on 36 percent shooting on the year. During their most recent seven-game winning streak, though, the Hornets are hitting nearly 13 per game on 43 percent. They’re also shooting 49 percent from the field.
And, as stated earlier, they’re also doing it on the defensive end. Something that Steve Clifford has always made a staple for the Hornets.
With the fairly easy schedule, in which they only play six teams over .500 the rest of the year, the Hornets could continue to make their way up the standings.
Even though the Miami Heat only play seven more games against teams over. 500 the rest of the way, their matchup later this week could go a long way in determining who will ultimately finish higher in the Eastern Conference.
As for the Celtics, who sit in the East’s third spot at the moment, well they have 10 more games against teams over .500 to close the season. And with the recent development that Jae Crowder has a high ankle sprain, ground will be available to be made over the next couple of weeks.
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The Charlotte Hornets don’t have the sexiest of names on their roster, but with the veteran presence of Al Jefferson, Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams and Courtney Lee on the roster, along with their young up-and-coming star in Kemba Walker, don’t be surprised to see this team make a run over the next couple of weeks.