CHARLOTTE vs MEMPHIS
When: 2/10/2021 8:00 PM
Where: FedExForum, Memphis

TV: 8:00 PM
LINE: -4
PREDICTION: MEMPHIS , CHARLOTTE

Oddsmakers currently have the Memphis Grizzlies listed as -4 point favorites versus the Charlotte Hornets, while the game’s total is sitting at 226.

The Grizzlies have gone 3-7 in home games. Memphis leads the Western Conference with 53.8 points in the paint led by Valanciunas averaging 11.

The Hornets are 5-6 on the road. Charlotte is last in the Eastern Conference shooting 37.8% from 3-point range.

The two teams square off for the second time this season. The Grizzlies defeated the Hornets 108-93 in their last meeting on Jan. 1. Dillon Brooks led Memphis with 21 points, and Bismack Biyombo paced Charlotte scoring 16 points.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Valanciunas leads the Grizzlies with 10.9 rebounds and averages 15.9 points. Desmond Bane is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers and 10.7 points over the last 10 games for Memphis.

Gordon Hayward is averaging 22.9 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Hornets. LaMelo Ball is averaging 18.4 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 47.0% over the last 10 games for Charlotte.

LAST 10 GAMES:

Grizzlies: 6-4, averaging 113.6 points, 43.4 rebounds, 30.3 assists, 10 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.5 points on 48.0% shooting.

Hornets: 6-4, averaging 115.4 points, 43.7 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.4 points on 47.4% shooting.

INJURIES:

Grizzlies: Killian Tillie: out (foot), Brandon Clarke: out (calf), Sean McDermott: out (shoulder), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out (knee), Justise Winslow: out (hip), De’Anthony Melton: out (shoulder).

Hornets: Devonte’ Graham: out (groin).

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis plays the Charlotte Hornets after Jonas Valanciunas’ 27-point, 20-rebound showing in the Grizzlies’ 128-113 loss to the Raptors.

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HOUSTON vs CHARLOTTE
When: 2/8/2021 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE , HOUSTON

Oddsmakers currently have the Houston listed as 3 point favorites versus the Charlotte, while the game’s total is sitting at 223.5.

Charlotte coach James Borrego seemed sincerely surprised upon learning on Sunday that the Hornets improved to 9-0 this season when entering the fourth quarter with the lead following their 22-point victory over the Washington Wizards at the Spectrum Center.

But upon further reflection, the statistical note made sense to Borrego.

The Hornets’ 119-97 win over Washington featured a praise-worthy effort from Terry Rozier, who assumed additional play-making duties with Devonte Graham (groin) sidelined and seven players grabbing at least five rebounds. It also featured another strong showing from guard LaMelo Ball, who burnished his Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Hornets, who will host the Houston Rockets on Monday in the second game of a back-to-back, have made strides despite being one of the younger teams in the league. Their rapid development sheds some light on their ability to perform when the stakes are highest.

“When it’s close, when we’re tight in the fourth quarter, we’re coming out on the right side of this thing,” Borrego said. “For whatever reason, we execute in the fourth. It’s tight, we get good shots, we execute defensively. We’ve been one of the better closing teams in this league and that’s not easy to do.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it: that’s a heck of a job by a young team for us to be able to close out these games in the fourth quarter.”

Charlotte, 3-3 in the second half of back-to-back games including 3-0 at home, won its last matchup with the Rockets to snap a seven-game losing skid in the series. Still, the Hornets have dropped 16 of the last 18 meetings against Houston, and while the Rockets will be without their leading scorer and rebounder in Christian Wood (ankle), the challenge for Charlotte remains stiff.

But the Hornets have repeatedly shown an ability to recover from setbacks. Their dismantling of Washington was just the latest example of a team seemingly on the rise.

“Last game, we played a very good Utah team,” Borrego said. “Our second half that game was a good second half and we built on that. We found some rhythm and there were some positives that came out of that second half. I wanted to carry that momentum over into this game. I’ve seen growth even though we didn’t win those last two games.”

Wood (22 points, 10.2 rebounds) suffered a right ankle sprain last Thursday against Memphis and will be sidelined for an undetermined number of games. Houston went 3-0 without Wood when he sustained an ankle sprain in late January but needed 52 bench points to stay within striking distance in a 111-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

The Rockets know what needs to be done without Wood. Executing that plan is the difficult part.

“Without Christian in the starting lineup, we’re going to have to figure out ways to score,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. “We’re missing basically 20 points out of our lineup. For those guys to step up off our bench was huge but moving forward we really are going to have to concentrate on figuring out ways (to score).

“Christian kind of makes it look easy out there the way he scores with no play calls: rolls to the rim, dunks, 3s, a little bit of everything. We have to figure that out.”

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PHILADELPHIA vs CHARLOTTE
When: 2/3/2021 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE: 7
PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE , PHILADELPHIA

Oddsmakers currently have the CHARLOTTE listed as 7 point favorites versus the PHILADELPHIA, while the game’s total is sitting at 222.5.

The Philadelphia 76ers are finding ways to win away from the City of Brotherly Love.

While that statement shouldn’t come as much of a surprise for a team that rests atop the Eastern Conference standings, the 76ers have taken on both Jekyll and Hyde personas given the locations of their games.

Philadelphia hopes Wednesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets follows a positive script as it bids for a three-game sweep of its road trip.

The 76ers, who offset a 31-4 record at home with a 12-26 mark on the road last season, are 10-1 and 5-5, respectively, this season. Philadelphia, however, has won three of its past four games away from home and six of seven overall heading into the finale vs. the Hornets.

The 76ers overcame the absence of three-time All-Star center Joel Embiid (back tightness) and a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to post a 119-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. It was not immediately known if Embiid will play Wednesday.

“It’s not rocket science. We are a better team with Joel Embiid on the floor,” said Tobias Harris, who scored 10 of his season-high 27 points in the fourth quarter. “But for the nights he does have to rest his body and get himself at 100 percent, we have to figure out our flow and how we are going to play out there.”

Harris registered team-best scoring performances to pace Philadelphia to two home wins over Charlotte this season. He had 24 points in a 127-112 win on Jan. 2 and 22 in a 118-101 victory two nights later.

Like Harris, Ben Simmons and Furkan Korkmaz posted season-high scoring performances Sunday. Simmons made 9 of 12 shots from the floor to finish with 21 points, and Korkmaz recorded 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia outscored Indiana 37-15 in the final stanza of regulation.

“I hope we’re talking about gratifying wins all year. I mean, that’s the plan,” said Doc Rivers, who on Monday was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in December and January.

Like the 76ers, the Hornets enjoyed a spirited fourth-quarter comeback to extend their winning streak to three games. Charlotte rallied from a 10-point deficit with 2:47 remaining in the fourth quarter to record a 129-121 overtime victory at Miami on Monday.

“It’s been a resilient group all year,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “We never dropped the sword. Our mentality is to keep fighting to the end. Down 10 with two-plus minutes to go, nobody hung their heads.”

Malik Monk made nine 3-pointers to highlight his career-high 36-point performance, while Devonte’ Graham had 24. Graham, however, made just 1 of 10 shots and finished with five points in the first meeting with Philadelphia before going 5 of 13 for 15 points in the second.

Rookie LaMelo Ball added 14 points and seven assists Monday in his first start for Charlotte. The No. 3 overall pick was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Terry Rozier, who is nursing an ankle injury.

The Hornets could be missing another starter after P.J. Washington suffered a sprained right foot in the third quarter Monday.

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CHARLOTTE vs MIAMI
When: 2/1/2021 7:30 PM
Where:

TV: 7:30 PM
LINE:
PREDICTION: MIAMI , CHARLOTTE

Oddsmakers currently have the MIAMI listed as 4.5 point favorites versus the CHARLOTTE, while the game’s total is sitting at 218.5.

Something old, something new — that’s what will be in play on Monday night when the Charlotte Hornets visit the Miami Heat.

Something old is Jimmy Butler, the 31-year-old Heat star who returned to action on Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings after missing 10 straight games due to COVID-19 protocol. Butler delivered a season-high 30 points to go with a game-high eight assists and seven rebounds in 34 minutes. He also had zero turnovers and made the go-ahead layup with 42 seconds left in a 105-104 win.

“You simply cannot put a modern-day analytic to Jimmy’s will to win,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He was not going to let us lose.”

Something new is LaMelo Ball, the Hornets rookie who could be making his first NBA start on Monday. On Friday night, in a 126-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Ball provided a team-high-tying 27 points and a game-high-tying nine assists to go with five rebounds, four steals and just one turnover.

Hornets coach James Borrego said Ball has infectious energy.

“What makes him special is that he loves the game,” Borrego said. “He has great joy for his teammates. He makes me want to coach with more joy.”

Ball was 8-for-10 shooting against the Bucks, including going 2-for-3 on 3-pointers. He was also 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.

For the season, Ball — the third pick in the 2020 NBA Draft — is second on the Hornets in assists (6.1), fourth in rebounds (5.9) and fifth in scoring (12.2). His three-point shooting (29.9 percent) needs work, but he is clearly enjoying himself.

“He makes everyone around him better,” teammate Miles Bridges said.

Ball’s possible ascension to the starting lineup has to do with his productivity and also due to Terry Rozier’s sprained right ankle. Rozier was injured in the first half against the Bucks, and he did not return, playing just 18 minutes as the Hornets won their second straight game.

Rozier is second on the team in scoring (18.6) and in three-point percentage (43.5). But his assists average (2.8) pales in comparison to Ball, indicative of their different playing styles.

The other big story in Charlotte is rejuvenated forward Gordon Hayward, 30, who is on pace for the best scoring season of his career (23.2).

For Miami, Butler leads the team in assists (5.7) and steals (1.9) while ranking second in scoring (17.9). He makes 91.1 percent of his free throws, which is vital because he gets to the foul line so often, including a 14-for-16 performance on Saturday.

Bam Adebayo has carried the Heat most of this season, leading the team in scoring (19.9) and rebounds (9.4) while ranking second in assists (5.5).

But Miami has been plagued by injuries/illness, even after getting Butler and Tyler Herro (neck) back within the past few days. Five players remain on the injured list: Avery Bradley (knee), Goran Dragic (groin), Maurice Harkless (thigh), Meyers Leonard (shoulder) and Chris Silva (hip).

Dragic, who is fourth on the team in scoring (15.9) and third in assists (5.3), is the biggest piece still missing from Miami’s attack, but Bradley (9.8 scoring average) should have a key role upon his return. Both of them are considered day-to-day.

Meanwhile, Herro, who is third on the team in scoring (17.5), learned his housemate tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday night. It’s possible Herro could have to quarantine and miss games, including Monday against the Hornets.

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MILWAUKEE vs CHARLOTTE
When: 1/30/2021 8:00 PM
Where:

TV: 8:00 PM
LINE: 8
PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE , MILWAUKEE

Oddsmakers currently have the CHARLOTTE listed as 8 point favorites versus the MILWAUKEE, while the game’s total is sitting at 230.5.

There was reason to marvel at many of the offensive contributions for the Charlotte Hornets in their Friday night victory.

However, there is bound to be extra attention placed on the defensive end for Charlotte’s Saturday night encounter with the Milwaukee Bucks.

“The same mindset we had (Friday),” Hornets guard Devonte’ Graham said of the game plan. “We have to come out and play defense. The last thing we have to worry about is offense. We have to get stops, especially against those guys.”

The Bucks will arrive in Charlotte licking their wounds a bit after a 131-126 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

The Hornets came up with all sorts of answers while topping the Indiana Pacers 108-105 on Friday, avenging a loss to the same team two nights earlier.

Charlotte made key plays down the stretch after a double-digit lead had vanished. Hornets coach James Borrego liked the poise his team demonstrated.

“We’ve grown in that area,” he said. “I think we’re one of the better clutch teams in the NBA.”

While the Hornets were winning, the Bucks stormed back from a 29-point hole before falling at New Orleans. A 44-point third quarter helped Milwaukee trim the deficit to four points in the closing seconds.

Still, the outcome snapped Milwaukee’s two-game winning streak. The Bucks have yet to exceed four straight victories this season, so they are still looking to sustain a good roll.

“You see the record last year, you want to continue that and even make it better,” said Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, who joined the team during the offseason. “There is some pressure in that way.”

The Bucks might have some defensive concerns. The Pelicans, who posted a season-high point total, compiled a franchise-record-tying 21 3-point baskets against Milwaukee’s defense.

Charlotte found the long-range touch on Friday, something that made the Hornets more difficult to defend.

“When we make 16 threes, we’re a different team,” Borrego said. “Obviously, you have to make shots in this league to win.”

Perhaps most important for the Hornets was a strong output from reserves, something that could come in handy with the rapid-fire nature of their schedule.

“We need that every night,” Borrego said. “Gordon (Hayward) goes 4-for-12 and scores 11 and we find a way to beat the Pacers.”

The Hornets haven’t won consecutive games since a four-game winning streak ended Jan. 11. They need to rekindle good vibes with the quick turnaround.

“Having that momentum going into (the Bucks game) will definitely help,” Graham said.

Charlotte has enjoyed steady improvement during the past week from Cody Zeller. The center returned to action Jan. 22 following an absence stemming from a broken hand sustained in the season opener.

“I just try to make a difference out there,” Zeller said.

Borrego said: “He’s getting his legs. He’s looking more comfortable.”

Just how well the Bucks respond from the game in New Orleans will be important. There were several emotional factors, including a crowd in New Orleans on Friday night despite the pandemic.

For Holiday, the contest was a return to the arena where he once played for the Pelicans, so he’ll have to refocus for the visit to Charlotte. He is still trying to adjust to his new team.

“It has been a challenge,” Holiday said. “That’s definitely part of the fun.”

The Hornets have hit a particularly busy stretch, as they will play their fifth game in eight nights. The Bucks will be ending a three-game, four-day road trip.

Milwaukee defeated the Hornets in all three meetings last season, including a Jan. 24, 2020, matchup in Paris.

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CHARLOTTE vs ORLANDO
When: 1/24/2021 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE: -1
PREDICTION: ORLANDO , CHARLOTTE

Oddsmakers currently have the ORLANDO listed as -1 point favorites versus the CHARLOTTE, while the game’s total is sitting at 214.

The Charlotte Hornets are in need of rediscovering good vibes. They share that distinction with the Orlando Magic.

The teams will try to reverse the wrong-way trends when they meet Sunday night in Orlando, Fla.

“We’re going to have to be a really good defensive team,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said of what it might take for things to turn around.

The Magic have lost seven of their past eight games, including Friday night’s 120-118 overtime decision at Indiana. That marked the conclusion of a 1-4 road swing.

“That was our game to win,” Orlando swingman Aaron Gordon said. “We had it. It felt like we gave it away.”

The Hornets enter this outing having played just once in more than a week’s span and will try to snap a season-worst four-game losing streak.

This is the first of two games between the teams on consecutive nights on the same court. For the Magic, it’s the launch of a four-game homestand.

The Hornets and Magic have been hampered by turnovers, something both squads say need to be addressed in advance of Sunday’s game. Clifford said that already has been the primary point of emphasis offensively.

Improving the overall performance is something that needs to take place for the Magic.

“It’s never one play. It’s never one shot,” Clifford said. “That’s every game we play.”

Evan Fournier scored 26 points for Orlando in its most recent game, marking the first time he topped the team in scoring since the season opener. This might be more evidence that he’s rounding into form after missing nine games with back ailments.

“He’s a terrific competitor and he badly wants to win,” Clifford said of Fournier’s efforts.

Still, the setback came after rookie Cole Anthony’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Magic a win in their previous game at Minnesota.

“We should have won that (game vs. Indiana),” Fournier said. “It’s really hard to swallow.”

In Friday night’s 123-110 home loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Hornets relied on Gordon Hayward’s big third quarter on his way to 34 points to keep them within striking distance. There needs to be other contributors.

“There’s other bodies out there that have to produce,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “Other guys have to step up and play better.”

Devonte’ Graham had 22 of his season-high 24 points in the first half for the Hornets, who were hindered by 20 turnovers through three quarters.

Charlotte center Cody Zeller was back in action for the first time after suffering a broken hand in the season opener. He logged 11 minutes in his return, notching five points.

Now, it will be important for the Hornets to develop rhythm with Zeller among the post players.

“To have that as your first game back, I thought he was solid,” Borrego said. “Moving forward, I have to figure out rotations and what’s best for our ball club.”

The two games in Orlando will be the only meetings between the teams this season.

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CHARLOTTE vs PHILADELPHIA
When: 1/2/2021 7:05 PM
Where:

TV: 7:05 PM
LINE: -9.5
PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA , CHARLOTTE

Oddsmakers currently have the PHILADELPHIA listed as -9.5 point favorites versus the CHARLOTTE, while the game’s total is sitting at 214.

The Philadelphia 76ers will look for their third consecutive victory when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.

The Sixers won for the fourth time in five games in resounding fashion on Thursday, thumping the host Orlando Magic 116-92.

Joel Embiid had 21 points and nine rebounds, Seth Curry scored 21 points and Tobias Harris added 20 points and nine rebounds. Since the game was so out of reach, the Sixers’ starters rested for the majority of the second half.

Philadelphia appears to be picking up new head coach Doc Rivers’ up-tempo system very quickly.

The pace begins with Ben Simmons, who has been oft-criticized for his lack of willingness to shoot from the perimeter. However, Simmons dropped in a rare 3-pointer against the Magic and the bench erupted. It was first lone long-range attempt of the season.

“I could care less,” Rivers said of whether Simmons takes outside shots. “I’ll let you guys talk about what Ben doesn’t do. I just want Ben to keep playing great defense, running our team and winning games.”

In addition to the starters producing against the Magic, the Sixers also received a huge lift from their bench, highlighted by Shake Milton (14 points), Tyrese Maxey (10) and Matisse Thybulle (nine). Thybulle failed to score in each of the first four games but took advantage of added playing time with Furkan Korkmaz sidelined due to an adductor injury.

“He’s going to be a key factor — we’ve been telling him that from the beginning,” Rivers said of Thybulle. “Matisse is going to be a key player for this basketball team. Defensively in the second half he was phenomenal.”

The new-look Hornets, who had been steadily improving, were drubbed 108-93 by the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

The Hornets did place five players in double figures, but the game was decided relatively early.

Bismack Biyombo led Charlotte with 16 points. Rookie LaMelo Ball added 15, Caleb Martin and Gordon Hayward had 14 each, and P.J. Washington scored 10.

Charlotte struggled with its long-distance shooting, going 9 of 31 (29 percent) from beyond the arc.

Despite the loss, head coach James Borrego has been pleased with the team’s progress.

“For us it’s just about building and growing,” Borrego said. “We didn’t have the best training camp. There’s a lot of factors there, but I believe now we have found our footing.”

That especially applies to Ball, the No. 3 overall pick by the Hornets in the 2020 draft. Ball also contributed six assists, three rebounds and two steals while continuing to show why the franchise selected him.

“He’s growing up right before our eyes,” teammate Miles Bridges said of Ball. “As long as he’s playing his game and having fun, we just want to focus on the defensive end.”

Ball has been a spark of the bench, but after the loss to the Grizzlies, Borrego was asked about shifting his rookie into the starting lineup.

“That’s one area I’ve got to continue to look at and look at it hard,” he said. “That’s not the only one, but I’ll continue to look at that area.”

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MEMPHIS vs CHARLOTTE
When: 1/1/2021 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE: -3.5
PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE , MEMPHIS

Oddsmakers currently have the CHARLOTTE listed as -3.5 point favorites versus the MEMPHIS, while the game’s total is sitting at 219.

The Memphis Grizzlies are finding out about their depth without a couple of their starters. The Charlotte Hornets are making parts of their deep roster a focal point.

The Grizzlies and Hornets clash Friday night in Charlotte, N.C., with each team focusing on making sure there are widespread contributions.

The outlook regarding the Grizzlies took an unfortunate turn Monday at Brooklyn, where guard Ja Morant sustained an ankle injury that could cost him a month of playing time. Then the team’s plight was heightened when guard Grayson Allen exited in the first half of Wednesday night’s game at Boston with a left ankle sprain that will keep him out of action.

“Unfortunately, when another guy goes down, we’ve got to rally,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We’re just getting tested really severely right now.”

Morant, the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year, is out three to five weeks. He likely won’t be replaced by just one player.

Memphis didn’t respond well in the first outing since the Morant injury, falling 126-107 at Boston. Now with Allen’s ailment, there’s more to ponder.

“We’re definitely going to have to adjust,” Jenkins said. “Grayson has been a starter for the course of the first couple of games of the season (so) naturally we’re going to have to change. We’re all about finding the best combinations.”

Tyus Jones was in the starting lineup with Morant’s absence. Jonas Valanciunas had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis in the game at Boston.

“We’ll have some different looks, and study that and ultimately what gives us the best chance,” Jenkins said. “The one thing you can always control is how hard you go out there and play.”

Morant scored the game-winning basket last season in a game at Charlotte, so that won’t be repeated with the Grizzlies’ visit this time.

The Grizzlies might be in need of modifying an identity — at least on a short-term basis. On the other hand, the Hornets like the direction they’ve taken.

“An identity now that is growing,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “We’re only four games in. We’re growing.”

The Hornets have won two games in a row, both against opponents with significant star power. They edged the Brooklyn Nets for their first victory on Sunday and then put together an even better performance three nights later against the Dallas Mavericks.

Charlotte received 60 points from reserves in the 118-99 rout of the Mavericks.

“Our bench is a strength of ours moving forward,” Borrego said.

First-round draft pick LaMelo Ball led the charge with 22 points in the best game in his young NBA career.

“LaMelo is showing growth every single game,” Borrego said of the guard.

Ball, Miles Bridges and Jalen McDaniels combined for 52 points off the bench.

Among the encouraging parts for Charlotte was that forward Gordon Hayward wasn’t relied upon for key contributions in the Dallas game. Even with a late-game scoring spurt, he had only 11 points, so the Hornets got it done with other primary contributors.

Just because they’ve won a couple of games, the Hornets don’t want to be thinking on too grand of a scale. The objective is to continue to trend with the steady improvement.

“The goal is to get better every game,” Borrego said. “That’s the standard for us.”

Memphis and Charlotte have had ball-handling issues. The Hornets survived 23 turnovers at Dallas, while the Grizzlies gave up 36 points off turnovers to Boston.

“When you turn it over, it’s going to put your defense in a tough spot,” Jenkins said. “I don’t think our defense is all that bad, but when we turn it over and give them easy looks, that’s hard.”

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CHARLOTTE vs DALLAS
When: 12/30/2020 8:35 PM
Where:

TV: 8:35 PM
LINE: -7.5
PREDICTION: DALLAS , CHARLOTTE

Oddsmakers currently have the DALLAS listed as -7.5 point favorites versus the CHARLOTTE, while the game’s total is sitting at 222.5.

The highs and lows of the season have been apparent for the Dallas Mavericks — and they’re just a week into their season.

There have been similar developments for the Charlotte Hornets.

Both teams hold 1-2 records going into Wednesday night’s game in Dallas for the Mavericks’ home opener.

“Everybody should clear their heads,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said, figuring the opening stretch of games shouldn’t define the season by any measure.

Each team is coming off its best performance.

The Mavericks destroyed the Los Angeles Clippers 124-73 on Sunday, building a 50-point halftime lead for the largest midway margin in NBA history.

The Hornets finally displayed segments of stingy defense, resulting in a 106-104 home victory against the Brooklyn Nets.

“Proud of our defense,” Hornets forward Gordon Hayward said. “We finally got it together at that end.”

They’ll have to do it again against a high-powered Dallas team, which rang up a 77-27 halftime bulge on the Clippers.

The Mavericks are continuing to mesh newcomer Josh Richardson, who arrived via a draft-day trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, with the core of the team. Richardson posted 21 points in 27 minutes against the Clippers.

Carlisle said Richardson, who has averaged 16.7 points per game and has hit at an 8-for-20 rate on 3-point attempts, is a good fit with standout Luka Doncic.

“They respect each other as players, and there’s chemistry that’s building each game,” the coach said.

Dallas also received an optimistic sign Tuesday in the rehab of Kristaps Porzingis, who was a full practice participant for the first time since sustaining meniscus damage in his right knee during the first round of the playoffs in mid-August.

“if felt good out here,” Porzingis told reporters. “I just want to get back in the rhythm of playing with contact. I still feel I have some ways to go.”

In Hayward, the Hornets are liking the adjustment shown by a player who was added to the roster last month in a sign-and trade with the Boston Celtics

“It has been a process,” Hayward said. “We have a lot of room for growth.”

Hayward compiled 28 points and seven assists in the triumph against Brooklyn. He seems to have gelled quickly with former Celtics teammate Terry Rozier.

The Hornets opened the season with losses to Cleveland and Oklahoma City. Coach James Borrego said the latest result is bound to be a boost.

“It can turn in one game,” he said of the confidence needed to succeed.

Dallas is expected to be a strong team. The showing against the Clippers was noteworthy.

“We showed who we really are, but it’s a long season,” Doncic said.

The status of Hornets forward P.J. Washington might be uncertain as he left late in Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. Washington, who practiced Tuesday, leads the team with 7.3 rebounds per game.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no fans for at least the first two home games for Dallas.

“Right now we’ve got to adapt and we’ve got to find ways to come together as a team in a very difficult beginning of the season with the schedule,” Carlisle said.

The Mavericks will want to focus on this game without looking ahead to Friday’s matchup with the Miami Heat in an encounter that will cap a stretch of Dallas playing the two 2020 NBA finalists across a four-game stretch. The Mavericks lost on Christmas Day to the Los Angeles Lakers.

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BROOKLYN vs CHARLOTTE
When: 12/27/2020 7:00 PM
Where:

TV: 7:00 PM
LINE: 8
PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE , BROOKLYN

Oddsmakers currently have the CHARLOTTE listed as 8 point favorites versus the BROOKLYN, while the game’s total is sitting at 226.

Through two games, the pairing of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is off to a dazzling start for the Brooklyn Nets.

Coming off two blowout victories, the Nets attempt to remain unbeaten Sunday night when they visit the Charlotte Hornets.

The Nets are seeking their third 3-0 start in team history and first since 2002-03, when they last made the NBA Finals. The Nets are also trying to score at least 120 points in the first three games of a season for the first time in franchise history.

Durant has scored 51 points on 50 percent shooting (16 of 32), while Irving has 63 points on 62.2 percent shooting (23 of 37), including 11 3-pointers.

“Pretty much the moment they got here, this is the talent they’ve displayed, and even now, late in their careers, they continue to get better,” Brooklyn forward Joe Harris said.

“I think it’s a testament really to the work they put in every day. These guys are superstar players. They work as hard as anybody I’ve been around. They kind of carry the torch for the rest of the team in that way.”

In Tuesday’s 125-99 rout of Golden State, the duo combined for 48 points. The pairing was even more productive in Boston on Friday, when the Nets dominated the second half of a 123-95 win. Irving scored 37 points and Durant added 29 when Brooklyn outscored the Celtics 72-41 in the second half.

Durant was particularly effective when the Nets took control in the third quarter. He scored 16 in the third, including nine straight when Brooklyn seized the lead for good.

Besides the impressive numbers from Irving and Durant, the Nets have produced their blowouts by displaying stout defense and are the first team since the 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers to win their first two games by at least 20 points each. They held Boston to 37.8 percent shooting, including 29.6 from 3-point range, after limiting Golden State to 37.4 percent from the floor.

Charlotte is off to an 0-2 start for the first time since the 2015-16 season. The losses have been fairly identical with comebacks from double-digit deficits falling short.

On Wednesday, the Hornets faced a 24-point deficit and took a 121-114 loss in Cleveland. On Saturday, Charlotte was even closer in a 109-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Hornets trailed by 13 with 2:13 remaining but allowed a tiebreaking jumper to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 1.4 seconds remaining and lost the game when Terry Rozier missed a desperation 3-point try at the buzzer.

Rozier scored 42 points Wednesday but was held to 19 Saturday, while Gordon Hayward was limited to 12 on Saturday after getting 28 in the season opener.

“I thought there was some good (things) out there, but obviously, we have a long way to go,” Charlotte coach James Borrego said. “We’ve got a lot to work on.”

Among the things the Hornets are looking to improve are scoring in the paint and rebounding. Charlotte has been outrebounded 104-79 and is shooting 49.5 percent (49 of 93) in the paint.

Charlotte is also hoping to see more from rookie LaMelo Bell and Devonte’ Graham, who are off to slow starts. Bell scored 13 Saturday after being held scoreless Wednesday. Graham is 8 for 29 after averaging 18.2 points last season.

Brooklyn won three of four meetings last season, including a 115-86 win in Charlotte on Feb. 22.

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