NBA – Page 4 – Hugo CLT

Pacers-116 Hornets-106 [Wrap-up]

Published on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 by hugocltLeave a comment

Doug McDermott turned the clock back to his Creighton days and scored 28 points vs the Hornets last night, with an embarrassing (for the Hornets) 22 points in the paint. That 22 points in the paint is especially disturbing when you realize Doug does not have a single post move, so the majority of these were lightly defended or completely uncontested layups. In a season full of role players roasting the Hornets, McDermott, and Justin Holiday for that matter, were happy to follow the likes of Gary Clark and Garrett Temple…

There were some positives to take away from this game for the Hornets, especially their lack of turnovers. Another positive is that the rotations were not identical to the previous 4 games. Borrego started Zeller over Biz and even got a little crazy and gave Monk some pt in the first quarter. I am happy that Monk got some more time and Borrego changed up some things but neither of the two moves do anything to address the fact that we have 1.44 big men on this team. What’s the plan against teams with an actual power forward? Allow them to put up an easy triple double like Domantas Sabonis and his Dawsons Creek ass haircut, I guess…

-The Hornets only had 11 turnovers, but just could not make their shots. PJ and Gordon both shot gross 6/14 with Terry adding a slightly “better” 8/18.

-Need quicker adjustments on the fly during opponents runs

-We get another shot Friday, 1 out of 2 vs the pacers is probably the best we could hope for anyway

-Not a popular take but I think Caleb should get some time, with most of it is getting in opposing PFs grill and pestering the shit out of them.

-Does any of our role players have defined roles? I think the someone needs to have the role of getting inside opposing big men’s jersey and make their life hell.

-Small ball only works when a team has highly skilled tweener type personel, we do not.

-Looks like our two defensive sets are “allow open 3s” or “allow open layups”… -Is anyone having fun? I’m not.

Pacers(10-7) @ Hornets(7-10) [Preview]

Published on January 27, 2021 by hugocltLeave a comment

The Pacers come to Charlotte tonight for their first of 2 games at the spectrum center. The Hornets look to close the gap and move up to the upper echelon of 10 loss teams in the east. The Hornets have been playing underwhelming, uninspiring, dogshit basketball under Borrego the past few weeks. Borrego needs to do change something; maybe switch defenses, change rotations, play different bigs, yell at the players, bark at the refs, throw a chair, SOMETHING. His monotone reflections before and after games almost makes me understand the players lack of enthusiasm, a coach should be a motivator or at least evoke some sort of emotions. The Hornets have been playing flat as hell, might be time to start photoshopping cigs into Borrego’s mouth a la Jay Cutler because it really seems like he “don’t careeeee”.

The Pacers should not be as upset as the Hornets because they are sitting pretty at 4th in the eastern conference and only a half game behind the Bucks in the central. The Pacers also received tremendous news that Caris LeVert’s kidney growth has been successfully operated on with no future treatment needed, after the trade that may have quite literally saved his life. I could see Domantas Sabonis being a real problem for the Hornets tonight but he is listed as a game time decision so it may not come to that. Just checked Sabonis’ stat line for the last matchup against us and whoooof, lets hope he doesn’t put up another +39 on us shooting 80% from the field.

Hornets Keys

Emotion – Playing with emotion is very clearly not going to happen because of Borrego but someone has to step up and give us some enthusiasm (or something).

Defend 3’s – can I get a closeout? Please? Anyone? If the hornets can hold them to under 43% (not asking for much here) from three I would be happy and stfu about the closeouts, at least temporarily.

Bigs – If Carey and Richards cannot give us anything better than current Bizmack then we might as well send their asses to Greensboro (I don’t think they suck that bad, Hornets just need to see what they have here)

Pacers Keys

Myles Turner – With Sabonis likely out, Myles Turner needs to take advantage of the Hornets poor post defense.

Defend Gordon – The Pacers do not matchup versus Hayward very well and he has been on a heater lately.

Hornets(6-9) @ Magic(7-9) [Preview]

Published on January 24, 2021 by hugoclt1 Comment

The bottom of the eastern conference is muddied with average ass teams. Two of those teams, Hornets and Magic, play tonight right off Interstate 4 in Orlando Florida. The Hornets have dropped 4 straight and are looking less and less like the promising team of a couple weeks ago. The Magic must be feeling somewhat similar because they started the season 6-2 and have faded off to 1-7 their last 8 games. Vucevic’ needs to be held to under his normal 20pts 10rbs, for the Hornets to win easily. Rozier and LaMelo having a high number of assists also gives the Hornets a great shot of taking this one against the Magic.

Charlotte Keys

Make the easy pass – Limit turnovers and don’t be stupid with the ball

Biz’s defense – Biyombo needs to play good on and off the ball defense on Vuc’ and rebound the ball defensively

Don’t let the role players beat us – Garrett frickin’ temple had 15pts on us last game

Magic Keys

Aaron Gordon – Gordon has been a + player in the last three games (includes 2 losses) and that consistency is needed desperately by the magic

Rebounding – The Hornets have a bad habit of playing good (enough) defense but then forgetting to rebound the damn ball, the Magic need to grab some Offensive rebounds.

Prop Bets HugoCLT’s Overall Record (3-0)

Devonte’ Graham OVER 14.5points (-110)

Terry Rozier OVER 3.5assists (+135)

Nikola Vucevic’ OVER 11.5rebounds (+105)

Evan Fournier UNDER 15.5points (even)