Charlotte Hornets are set to host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, looking to extend their impressive three-game winning streak at home. This matchup will be the second encounter of the season for both teams.
Currently, the Hornets hold a 17-17 record when playing at home, while the Kings struggle with a dismal 6-28 record on the road. The Kings, who sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 19-53 overall record, are hoping to turn their fortunes around against the Hornets, who are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 37-34.
The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. EDT in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets are showcasing a solid defense, ranking eighth in the league by allowing only 112.1 points per game and limiting opponents to a shooting percentage of 46.7%. In contrast, the Kings have a record of 3-4 in games decided by fewer than four points, highlighting their struggles in tight contests.
From an offensive standpoint, the Hornets are shooting at 46.0% from the floor, which is slightly below the 49.4% that the Kings allow to their opponents. Sacramento averages 10.2 successful three-pointers per game, yet this figure is 2.6 fewer than the 12.8 that Charlotte permits. In their last meeting on March 12, the Hornets emerged victorious with a score of 117-109, led by LaMelo Ball who netted 30 points, while DeMar DeRozan led the Kings with an impressive 39 points.
In terms of individual performances, Ball is currently averaging 19.7 points and 7.1 assists per game for the Hornets. Meanwhile, Kon Knueppel has been a key contributor over the last ten games, averaging 18.2 points. On the Kings” side, Maxime Raynaud is contributing with an average of 11.9 points and 7.3 rebounds, while DeRozan is averaging 17.6 points in his last ten outings.
Looking at their recent performances, the Hornets have gone 7-3 in their last ten games, scoring an average of 116.6 points per game and shooting 45.8% from the field. Their opponents have managed only 106.1 points on average during this span. The Kings, over the same period, have a 5-5 record with an average of 115.7 points per game but have faced defensive challenges, allowing 119.6 points to their opponents.
In terms of injuries, the Hornets have Tidjane Salaun listed as day to day due to a calf issue. The Kings, however, are dealing with significant injuries, as Domantas Sabonis is out for the season with a back injury, while Russell Westbrook, Killian Hayes, Daeqwon Plowden, and several others are listed as day to day or out for the season due to various injuries.
This upcoming game presents a crucial opportunity for both teams, with the Hornets aiming to solidify their playoff position and the Kings desperate to find a way to improve their road record.
