The Charlotte Hornets have been waiting long to snap their losing streak. Since the last seven games, the young team hasn’t won. Yesterday, without both LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder comfortably went through the Hornets. Now, the team that began their losing streak, the Chicago Bulls awaits them. The question is, is Charlotte fully equipt for the challenge?
LaMelo Ball has had a glamorous season thus far. He is averaging a career-high 30.1 points, unraveling his full basketball repertoire. However, it has also led to a high usage rate, amounting to regular injuries. Currently, Ball is suffering from a wrist and left ankle injury and missed the clash against the Thunder.
The same could be true when he comes up against his elder brother Lonzo Ball’s Bulls as he is listed doubtful for the game.
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In his absence, it’s Brandon Miller who takes the majority of the shots and leads the Hornets. But he has been suffering from an ankle injury over the past five games, appearing in just one of them. His status is identical to Ball’s with the ankle ailment said to be the second straight game that the dynamic talent could miss.
Still, there is a glimmer of hope as both of them are said to be game-day decisions. With that in mind, here is how the Hornets could line up against the Chicago Bulls.
Charlotte Hornets depth chart
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Aside from Ball and Miller, backup forward Cody Martin is also doubtful for the Hornet’s home game against the Chicago Bulls. He is suffering from a knee injury that he suffered during the game against the Washington Wizards. No other Hornets player is on the injury report.
So here is how their rotations could look.
Starters | Second Unit | Third Unit |
Vasilije Micic | Isaiah Wong | KJ Simpson |
Seth Curry | Isaiah Wong | Seth Curry |
Josh Green | DaQuan Jeffries | Nick Smith Jr. |
Miles Bridges | Tidjane Salaun | DaQuan Jeffries |
Mark Williams | Nick Richards | Moussa Diabate |
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The Bulls have stitched together some impressive performances over the last few games. Zach Lavine and Nikola Vucevic remain the primary threats to stop. However, the Bulls average the 10th most points generated from the backcourt. Coby White and Josh Giddey could repeat their strong night against the Bucks when facing Charlotte, a relatively weaker defense.
And if neither of LaMelo Ball or Brandon Miller feature tomorrow, it will be a steep mountain for the Hornets to climb over. Do you think wecan see an upset or do the Bulls hand the Hornets their eighth straight loss? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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Can the Hornets break their losing streak without LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller against the Bulls?
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