Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets Live Game Thread: This ones seems like a big one

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (32-31) vs. Charlotte Hornets (28-33)

WHAT: The Nets look to get back on track in a game against a Hornets team who is right on their heels in the playoff race.

WHERE: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. EST

HOW: YES, FSSE-CHA; NBA League Pass

THE STORY: Game Preview

Cody Zeller put up 13 and 11 against the Nets in that last matchup and was surprisingly annoying at times on the board and around the rim. He can set a solid screen and plays with a lot of energy. He isn’t the most skilled big man in the world, but what he lacks in touch he makes up for in hustle. This also leads him to foul a bunch, 4.6 per 36 minutes, which is a cool fun thing for the Nets to exploit, but if he stays out of foul trouble he can bully his way into having a decent game.

And how about Frank Kaminsky? The 6’11” stretch 4 wants out of Charlotte where he has been relegated to the end of the bench, but the Hornets seem intent on keeping him. If he isn’t waived by 11:59 pm Friday, he won’t be eligible for the playoffs and his value to a playoff team virtually disappears. Kaminsky flew on the Hornets team plane to New York on Thursday night.

For more on the Hornets, check out: At the Hive

This is a big game for the Hornets, because they don’t want Brooklyn to own the tiebreaker in a potential playoff scenario. Although Charlotte is currently out of the post-season picture because of percentage points, they are ahead of the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat by one game in the loss column.

The Hornets have been doomed by poor play in the second half over the last few weeks (stop me if you’ve heard that before). Kemba Walker had a really good first half against Houston, but struggled from the field in the last two quarters. Although he’s scoring at his usual rate, he is only shooting 39.4% from the floor in the last six games.