GAME #30: HORNETS (7-20) @ LAC (17-12) TUES 12/26—7:30 PM, NBA-TV

[esqtvd]

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[PeteyPablo]

ByData Skrive
Dec 24, 2023, 11:03 pm
Charlotte Hornets (7-20, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (17-12, fifth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EST

: Clippers -10.5; over/under is 228.5

BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte looks to break its seven-game losing streak with a win against Los Angeles.

The Clippers have gone 11-4 in home games. Los Angeles is ninth in the Western Conference in rebounding averaging 43.6 rebounds. Ivica Zubac leads the Clippers with 9.1 boards.

The Hornets are 3-9 on the road. Charlotte is seventh in the NBA scoring 53.3 points per game in the paint led by LaMelo Ball averaging 10.5.

The Clippers are shooting 48.5% from the field this season, 1.0 percentage point lower than the 49.5% the Hornets allow to opponents. The Hornets average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.8 fewer made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Clippers allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kawhi Leonard is averaging 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals for the Clippers. James Harden is averaging 2.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

Gordon Hayward is averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 assists for the Hornets. Terry Rozier is averaging 21.4 points over the last 10 games for Charlotte.

LAST 10 GAMES: Clippers: 8-2, averaging 123.8 points, 42.1 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 6.6 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 51.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.3 points per game.

Hornets: 1-9, averaging 105.0 points, 36.7 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.8 points.

INJURIES: Clippers: Mason Plumlee: out (knee), Moussa Diabate: out (hip), Kawhi Leonard: day to day (hip).

Hornets: Frank Ntilikina: out (leg), LaMelo Ball: out (ankle), Mark Williams: day to day (back), Brandon Miller: day to day (ankle).

[Bobbymcgee]

With or without Leonard this should be a Clippers win. Team had their holiday break. Time to get back on track after a two game losing streak.

[ERClips]

With or without Leonard this should be a Clippers win. Team had their holiday break. Time to get back on track after a two game losing streak.

100%
No excuses. If Kawhi doesn’t play then someone/everyone needs to play like this game matters. Because it does. The win streak is history now.

[Dynamix]

With or without Leonard this should be a Clippers win. Team had their holiday break. Time to get back on track after a two game losing streak.

I kind of hope Kawhi sits this one out, feels like the other guys' morale could use a win without him, and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Praying T-Mann has a bounce back game.

But if he's not back for the Grizzlies game, more than a week after getting hurt, I'm officially starting to worry and never trusting a "day to day" or "questionable" ever again.

[The High Cyde]

Durant seems unhappy in PHX hmmmm could he be a possibility on this team?

[PeteyPablo]

These are paid professional basket ball players.

There should be some pride in your work ethic and it should start with the guy making 45 million dollars Paul George.

Then the second star James Harden needs to bring his A game.He has not shown a lack of effort so far and there are no complaints about him.

Everyone else will follow suit if your highest paid players lead by example.

[Kelphus]

In Vegas I trust- Clips 12 point favorites tonight.

Gonna be there in my happy place, to watch the Hornets get swatted.

[LamarWho]

Here we go again with this Kawhi guy. He was "day to day" a week ago. Apparently that was a lie, surprise surprise.

[Wammy Giveaway]

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So begins the P.J. Tucker trade rumors. One problem:

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Meaning he can only bring back role players if traded for now. The Clippers won't be able to enhance/expand on an offer involving Tucker until December 30, but since it's so close to final day of 2023, consider this a New Years trade.

Tucker's contract is $11 million; with that value they can get a much better role player, consolidate roster spots and try to get further under the tax line. Lest we forget, Clippers are over the 2nd apron, and have major restrictions against them, including their ability to sign players. If no takers emerge, Clippers may be forced to buy out his contract and accept their status as a 2nd apron team for next season.

What does this have anything to do with tonight's game vs. Hornets? Don't be surprised to see Tucker get some burn the next few games as a means of showcasing him to the Bucks and Heat, two teams interested in getting him. Heat will be high priority as they struck out on every single big game player in the off-season (Lillard, Holiday, Harden), leading them to believe a trade with the Clippers of all teams will make up for it.

[Kelphus]

Am here, it's Pride Night.
But I'm proud of the Clippers every night!

[wakelaunch1]

PG cant be our creator. 3 assists 2 turnovers, 2-6. He needs to be 3 and D. Only way.

[esqtvd]

In Vegas I trust- Clips 12 point favorites tonight.

Gonna be there in my happy place, to watch the Hornets get swatted.

In Vegas. Just laid -11.5. C'mon, you bastards. I never bet against my own team.

[esqtvd]

These are paid professional basket ball players.

There should be some pride in your work ethic and it should start with the guy making 45 million dollars Paul George.

Then the second star James Harden needs to bring his A game.He has not shown a lack of effort so far and there are no complaints about him.

Everyone else will follow suit if your highest paid players lead by example.

As previously noted, the Sixers are my hometown team, and although never a Beard fan--too many turnovers, indifferent defense--I thought he gave them their money's worth, especially since the price was Ben Simmons, a fraud and a cancer.

And after holding a gun to Morey's head--for contract squabbles we will never know are true or false--Beard has been a model citizen here in Ballmerville. Straight up, Harden cost us Batum and a probably worthless FRP who will never actually play for Philadelphia. WE got Tucker, who is worthless in LA, for Mook and RoCo, who are mostly worthless in Philly.

[Kelphus]

I really like the guy with the beard....

[LamarWho]

I swear PG has some of the laziest passes.

[PeteyPablo]

Paul George with 2 lazy passes that led to fast break points.

[ERClips]

Damn PG is the most frustrating player. Yes he can score sometimes but everything else is slow & lazy. Never boxes out for a rebound either. Thank god for everyone else

[LamarWho]

Up by 5 at the half against a bottom feeder team missing their best player, thanks to Harden's hot shooting.

T-Mann donuts all across the board, how much longer is he gonna start? PG, don't even get me started.

[ERClips]

Loved the Harden, Theis, Kobe, Russ & Norm lineup. Defensive intensity ratcheted up