Hornets Vs Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets meet in an interconference matchup as both teams aim to improve their standings in their respective playoff races. This Friday night clash takes place in Charlotte, where the Hornets hope to take advantage of their home court. The Trail Blazers, meanwhile, come into the game on the second night of a back-to-back after playing the Miami Heat on Thursday. In their previous contest on Tuesday, Portland managed an impressive 116-107 road victory over Miami, defying the odds as an 8.5-point underdog. The Hornets, on the other hand, are coming off a tough 132-120 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, where they failed to cover the spread as 11.5-point underdogs. Historically, Portland has dominated this series, holding a 48-19 advantage in regular-season matchups, including a narrow 89-86 road victory in their most recent meeting on April 3, 2024.

For the Trail Blazers, Friday’s game marks the conclusion of a back-to-back set. The team started this challenging stretch in Florida, facing Miami on Thursday night and then traveling to Charlotte for this matchup. Heading into Thursday, Portland had a 15-28 record, placing them fourth in the Northwest Division and 21 games behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder. Their playoff hopes are faint, as they trailed the Phoenix Suns by seven games for the final play-in tournament spot. Portland has been inconsistent in back-to-back scenarios this season, holding a 3-4 record in the second game of such sets with an average scoring margin of -3.6 points per game (104.4 points scored and 108 points allowed). On the road, the Trail Blazers have struggled mightily, with a 6-16 record and a scoring differential of -7.8 points per game (105.2 points scored and 113 points allowed). Against Eastern Conference teams, Portland has a 4-5 record with a -4.9 scoring margin, averaging 110.2 points for and 115.1 points against.

Offensively, the Trail Blazers rank 26th in the league, averaging 108.1 points per game. They sit 22nd in rebounding, pulling down 43.3 boards per game, and rank near the bottom in assists at 28th with just 23.3 per game. Defensively, Portland is 24th, allowing 116.5 points per contest. Key contributors for the Trail Blazers include Anfernee Simons, who is second on the team in scoring with 18.2 points and 4.9 assists per game, and Shaedon Sharpe, who averages 18 points per contest. Jerami Grant adds 14.9 points per game, while Deandre Ayton contributes 13.8 points and a team-high 10.2 rebounds. Rookie Scoot Henderson has shown flashes of promise, averaging 12.5 points and 5.4 assists. The Trail Blazers also rely on players like Deni Avidja (14.2 points, 6.6 rebounds), Robert Williams III, Toumani Camara, Dalano Banton, Rayan Rupert, Kris Murray, Donovan Clingan, Jabari Walker, and Duop Reath to round out their rotation.

In terms of shooting, Portland ranks 23rd in field goal percentage at 44.9%. Their three-point shooting has been a weakness, ranking 26th in made threes per game (12.2) and 28th in three-point percentage (33.8%). Additionally, they struggle at the free-throw line, ranking 24th by converting just 77% of their attempts. The team’s injury report remains a significant factor heading into this game. Matisse Thybulle has yet to play this season due to knee and ankle issues and is out once again. Donovan Clingan, who last played on January 14, continues to deal with an ankle injury and is expected to be re-evaluated soon. Simons (back), Ayton (knee), Camara (illness), and Murray (chest) were all listed as questionable for Thursday’s game, and their availability for Friday remains uncertain. Fans and analysts alike will need to monitor updates closer to tip-off.

On the other side, the Charlotte Hornets enter this game hoping to bounce back from their loss to Memphis and regain some momentum. Their defeat on Wednesday snapped a three-game winning streak and left them with an 11-29 record. The Hornets currently sit fourth in the Southeast Division, 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Hawks, who occupy the division’s top spot. Charlotte’s playoff hopes are slim, as they are 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, trailing the Detroit Pistons by 10 games for the final guaranteed playoff spot and the Chicago Bulls by six games for the last play-in position. Against Memphis, the Hornets got off to a poor start, trailing by 13 points after the first quarter. Things only worsened in the second quarter, as they went into halftime down by 30 points and eventually fell behind by as many as 35. While they managed to make the score more respectable in the closing minutes, the game was effectively out of reach. Charlotte shot 45.5% from the field, including 11-of-31 from three-point range, and was outrebounded 40-33. Mark Williams was the team’s standout performer, finishing with 38 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.

For the season, the Hornets rank 28th in scoring offense, averaging just 107.4 points per game. However, they excel in rebounding, ranking fourth in the league with 46 boards per contest. Their ball movement leaves much to be desired, as they sit 26th in assists at 23.9 per game. Defensively, Charlotte is middle-of-the-pack, ranking 15th by allowing 113 points per game. LaMelo Ball leads the team with an impressive stat line, averaging 29 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. Miles Bridges contributes 18.5 points and 7.4 rebounds, while rookie Brandon Miller adds 21 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest. Other key contributors include Tre Mann (14.1 points), Grant Williams (10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds), Mark Williams (15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds), and rotational players such as Cody Martin, Josh Green, Tidjane Salaun, Seth Curry, Vasilije Micic, Moussa Diabate, Taj Gibson, and Nick Richards (8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds).

Shooting efficiency has been a major concern for the Hornets, as they rank last in the league in field goal percentage, shooting just 43.1% as a team. While they rank eighth in made threes per game (14.2), their three-point accuracy is subpar at 34.2%, placing them 26th in the league. From the free-throw line, they convert 77.4% of their attempts, ranking 25th. Charlotte’s injury report also presents challenges. Grant Williams is out for the season due to a knee injury. Tre Mann, who last played on November 21, remains without a timetable to return as he continues to deal with a back issue. Brandon Miller is sidelined indefinitely with a torn wrist ligament, having last played on January 15.

Both teams face significant obstacles as they prepare for Friday’s matchup, including injuries and poor overall performance this season. Portland’s struggles on the road and in back-to-back games could give Charlotte an opportunity to capitalize, especially with LaMelo Ball leading the way. However, the Hornets’ own shooting inefficiencies and defensive vulnerabilities may leave them exposed against a Trail Blazers team that, while inconsistent, has demonstrated the ability to pull off surprising victories, as evidenced by their recent win in Miami. As both teams vie for momentum and hope to inch closer to playoff contention, this game offers an intriguing battle between two squads looking to overcome their challenges and finish the season strong.