Per Jacob Goldstein’s math, Charlotte is down to just a 4.3 percent chance of making the playoffs. At 2.5 games behind the Magic for the eighth seed, the Hornets are playing a true must-win game.
They topped the Pelicans on April 3 to end a three-game losing streak, as Kemba Walker did his usual thing, scoring 32 on 17 shots. The man is unreal, and he’ll be a great test for Toronto’s second line of defence. Beyond Walker, the Hornets are one gigantic shrug of a team. Nicolas Batum is basically out of the rotation. Jeremy Lamb is not starting anymore after seeming like a long-term gem last season. His distance shooting is down on the year, which has really hurt the offence around Walker’s brilliance. Over the last 10 games, youngsters Dwayne Bacon and Miles Bridges are third and fourth in shot attempts for the Hornets. Charlotte would be ground meat if they made the playoffs. They lost to the Warriors by 47 on March 31.
On Toronto’s end, they’ve been incredibly solid during a five-game winning streak. Sure, they’ve been playing against the easiest schedule in the league, but they have been facing teams fighting for their playoff lives. Toronto dominated very motivated teams in the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets, as the Raptors are rounding into form at the perfect time.
Most importantly, the shots are falling. They’re up to 36.5 percent from deep on the season, which is seventh in the league. They’ve been the best in the league from deep since the all-star break, hitting 41.8 percent. The starters are gelling again after a small downturn before the trade deadline. The bench is rolling again for the first time since… last season. Nick Nurse’s playbook is finally pretty fully installed, and everyone seems content. Remember when we thought that the offence looked different when Kyle Lowry or Kawhi Leonard handled the ball? Yeah, I don’t either. Those my-turn, your-turn days are tough to even picture nowadays. Everything is looking up.
Toronto Updates
OG Anunoby will be available tonight. Three games should be plenty of time to get his rhythm back before the playoffs, so let’s hope his head is a-ok. Patrick McCaw (thumb) is out.
PG: Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Jeremy Lin
SG: Danny Green, Jodie Meeks
SF: Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, Malcolm Miller
PF: Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby
C: Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Chris Boucher
Charlotte Updates
Tony Parker (personal), Marvin Williams (foot), and Cody Zeller (knee) are all out.
PG: Kemba Walker, Devonte Graham, Shelvin Mack
SG: Dwayne Bacon, Jeremy Lamb, Malik Monk
SF: Miles Bridges, Nicolas Batum
PF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
C: Bismack Biyombo, Frank Kaminsky, Willy Hernangomez
Assorted
- Jerry Stackhouse has signed a deal to be the new head coach at Vanderbilt University. He has been open about searching for an NBA head coaching gig, so it’s a shame that he’s leaving the field. However, he’s entering a great situation, and he’ll have a six year contract. It’s a safe bet that we’ll see him again in the NBA.
Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse has agreed to become the new head coach of Vanderbilt University, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 5, 2019
The Line
- Toronto is -5.5, which seems very, very low. Almost a trap, even. The over-under is 224.
