Game Previews

Nets travel to Charlotte to face Kemba Walker and the playoff bound Hornets

By Anthony Parisi Apr 8, 2016, 5:05am EDT

The amount of games played during the season continues to pile up, as do the losses for the Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young-less Brooklyn Nets. There are now four more games left in the season for the Nets who would be giddy to even get one more win this year.

The losing streak is now at six for the Nets who are auditioning their players for roster spots rather than winning games at this point. One of the only bright spots for the Nets lately has been the play of Thomas Robinson. Over the last five games, Robinson has averaged 15.2 points and 12.2 rebounds, which is the best stretch of his young career.

Next up for the Nets are the playoff bound Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte is having an impressive season behind Kemba Walker and company. This game is important to the Hornets for seeding purposes, so Brooklyn could be in for another long night.

Where to follow the game?

YES Network on TV, WFAN 101.9 FM on radio. Tip off after 7:00 PM.

Injuries

The Nets will be without Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young due to rest, also without Jarrett Jack due to a torn ACL.

The Hornets will be without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist who has a torn right labrum in his shoulder and Nicolas Batum is questionable with a knee injury.

The Game

2015-2016	Brooklyn	Charlotte
Record	21-57	45-33
Pace	97.2	97.7
Offensive Efficiency	100.9	104.7
Defensive Efficiency	108.0	101.8
Turnover Rate	13.8	11.7
Assist Rate	17.0	16.7
Offensive Rebounding Rate	24.2	20.1
Rebound Rate	49.7	49.6
Free Throw Rate	24.7	28.0
Effective Field Goal Percentage	49.2	49.9
Opponent's Effective Field Goal Percentage	53.2	50.3

Previous matchups

On November 18th, the Hornets beat the Nets 116-11, on February 21st, Charlotte won 104-96 and they also won on March 22nd, 105-100. Charlotte is leading the season series 3-0.

Player to watch: Kemba Walker

Kemba Walker has had a big season to help the Hornets make it into the postseason. Walker is averaging 21.2 points and 5.1 assists on the season.

Walker's fifth NBA season has been his best. Not only is he putting up the best numbers of his career, but he has been a very important leader for this Hornets team. Walker has taken the reigns of the franchise and he's done a great job as the team's star point guard.

Walker is coming off of a game versus the Knicks where he scored 34 points and collected 7 three-pointers. Here's the highlights from the game.

Nets X-factor: Sean Kilpatrick

Sean Kilpatrick has been a difference maker since he put on a Nets uniform. Kilpatrick has scored in double figures in 13 of his last 14 games, his best game of them all came against the Hornets.

The last time the Nets and Hornets faced off, Kilpatrick scored 25 points, in 27 minutes on 9-of-12 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from three-point range.

Kilpatrick has been a great find for the Nets this season and we'll find out tonight if he truly loves playing against the Hornets. The Nets can use a big game from Kilpatrick.

Hornets X-factor: Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin has had a bounce back year in a way. The stats don't jump out at you at 11.7 points and 3 assists, but Lin has had an impact on a Hornets team that is in the playoffs.

Lin is averaging 15 points and 5.3 rebounds against the Nets this season in 30 minutes per game. Lin made himself known around the league when he was a member of the Knicks and Lin made sure to take a jab at his old team in Wednesday's game.

Lin has been an X-factor for the Hornets all year and that shouldn't change tonight against an anemic Nets roster. That's if he's even needed in a game that might turn into a blowout.

From the vault

Deron Williams was in the zone this night. Watch Deron Williams score a career high and franchise record 57 points versus the Charlotte Bobcats.