Charlotte Hornets: Facing Dallas Tonight
The Charlotte Hornets (1-3) return to action tonight on the road in Dallas for their first action since dismantling the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. The Mavericks are a team still missing a major piece as small forward Chandler Parsons is on minutes restriction of about fifteen minutes per game according to reports from Rotowire.
The Mavericks are trying to put together one more team that can win around Dirk Nowitzki. As a result they brought in Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams in the off-season. The center piece of this effort was supposed to be Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, but he pulled out after having given Dallas a verbal promise.
With Parsons limited, the Mavs bench is not very deep. This game is winnable for a Hornets team looking for some momentum. Any victory against Western opponents is worth it this season.
Opponent: Dallas Mavericks (2-2)
Date: Thursday, November 5
Time: 8:30 PM
TV: Fox Sports Southeast
Venue: American Airlines Arena (Dallas, TX)
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Probable Mavericks Lineup:
C Zaza Pachulia
PF Dirk Nowitzki
SF Chandler Parsons
SG Wesley Matthews
PG Deron Williams
Against the Toronto Raptors, the Mavs relied on Nowitzki and Williams for offense. Parsons was on limited minutes and the big bench producer was former Hornets draftee Dwight Powell. Powell, a forward, was traded on draft night by the Hornets to Cleveland Cavs to dump the contract of Brendan Haywood. Former Tar Heel Raymond Felton will also see minutes off the bench for Dallas.
Note: You won’t see either Rajon Rondo or Tyson Chandler, they left in free agency.
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Probable Hornets Lineup:
C Al Jefferson
PF Marvin Williams
SF P.J. Hairston
SG Nicolas Batum
PG Kemba Walker
Nowitzki will cause some matchup problems as whoever has to guard him will have to do more mid-range and perimeter coverage. That would seem to best fit Williams, but Cody Zeller and others will likely see some of that duty during the game as well.
Parsons would be a tough matchup for Hairston, but the Mavs should keep Parsons on limited minutes. The Hornets need to replicate their ball movement of last game and keep attacking on offense. Jefferson will offer opportunities against Pachulia, but Batum must be willing to test the recently hurt Parsons and Matthews to set up plays.
A great bench effort would also be a bonus, as the bench was critical against the Bulls.