Pistons Take on “Ugly” Hornets
By J.M. Poulard
Essentials
- Teams: Charlotte Hornets (33-46) at Detroit Pistons (30-49)
- Date: April 12
- Time: 3:30 p.m.
- Television: FSD
Get in the Game
The Detroit Pistons only have three games left in this marathon called the regular season.
Game 1 is today against a Charlotte Hornets squad that ranks among the bottom-three offenses in the league. Truth be told, watching these Hornets can be tougher on the eyes than any form of torture utilized on Game of Throne’s Theon Greyjoy.
Normally, Charlotte has Al Jefferson and Lance Stephenson in the lineup to give the team some semblance of scoring punch and respectability, but that is no longer the case. Injuries have forced the former (knee) and latter (toe) to miss the last few games, which has only made the team look worse.
Charlotte’s perimeter creativity is practically non-existent, and head coach Steve Clifford doesn’t have a quality shooter to adequately space the floor. As a result, opponents can recklessly switch on screens and trap pick-and-rolls without much fear of getting exposed.
One might wonder how in the hell does Charlotte get points. The answer: effort plays.
The Hornets need offensive rebounds, turnovers and an attacking mentality off the bounce to produce any and all kinds of points.
In related news, the Hornets are second to last in field-goal percentage with the season coming to a close.
The Hornets have some terrific athletes such as Bismack Biyombo and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but those players often look like men lost at sea because they need help from teammates to generate scoring opportunities—that help is often unavailable.
On defense, the Hornets rank among the league’s elite, but that standing relies heavily on the core players. Their absences has meant that reserves have been promoted to starting roles and heavy minutes that they are ill-equipped to handle.
For instance, with Kidd-Gilchrist shelved for the rest of the year (ankle), Charlotte no longer has a stud wing defender to help curtail opposing wings. Gerald Henderson and Jeff Taylor now share that job, and well, Clifford isn’t exactly beating his chest over it.
What’s more, the second line of defense is often a full second late in rotations. Pistons fans should notice this tonight particularly on side pick-and-rolls where the two Charlotte big men often get caught in no man’s land.
The one defending the pick-and-roll will use poor technique to help and recover, while the other big stationed close to the rim will get drawn further away on the weak side because of side action happening there.
It makes for a situation where a good passing ball-handler can repeatedly feed his screener for quality looks or a hockey assist if the Hornets overcommit.
The Pistons should have an opportunity at securing a victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills today, provided they match the Hornets’ energy level.
Read about the Hornets