The Charlotte Hornets, who have been showcasing an impressive offensive variety, will likely need all their scoring options when they face the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.
The Trail Blazers are coming off a solid defensive performance in their 101-79 road win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday, marking their second three-game winning streak of the season. This was only the third time this season that an opponent failed to score at least 100 points against Portland.
Anfernee Simons led the way for the Blazers with 21 points, followed by four teammates scoring in double figures. However, Scoot Henderson saw his streak of five consecutive double-digit games end, as he managed just four points in 14 minutes off the bench.
The Hornets have a 4-4 record in January after enduring a rough December with only one win in 12 games. Charlotte’s season-best three-game winning streak ended on Wednesday with a 132-120 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, despite a career-high 38-point performance from center Mark Williams. Williams shot 14-for-18 from the field and made 10 of 13 free throws, tying for the third most points by a Hornets center in franchise history.
Williams has scored 24 or more points in three of the past five games, especially stepping up since center Nick Richards was traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Josh Okogie and three draft picks.
Guard LaMelo Ball saw his streak of four consecutive games with nine or more assists end when he logged six assists against Memphis. Despite this, his overall offensive contributions have been significant for the team. Miles Bridges has also been a recent spark for the Hornets, scoring 20 or more points in six of the eight games this month, partially filling the void left by the season-ending injury to Brandon Miller.
Defensively, the Hornets will need to improve after allowing over 130 points for the second time this season in their last game. Guard Seth Curry was seen limping during the Memphis game due to a sprained right ankle but is listed as probable for the game against the Trail Blazers. Ball (sprained right wrist) and Bridges (lower back spasms) are considered questionable.
This will be the first meeting of the season between the two teams, with the Trail Blazers having won four of their last five matchups against the Hornets.
