Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Hornets 3/8/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Live Stream

Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Hornets Matchup Preview (3/8/22)

Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets (32-33) travel to face LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets (32-33) Tuesday night. The slumping Nets are 3-17 in their last 20 games and currently own a 4-game losing streak. They are coming off a close 126-120 loss to the streaking Boston Celtics. Durant was fantastic with 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists on 57.1 FG%. Kyrie Irving contributed 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, but the Nets needed more from their 2nd option. The Nets saw Bruce Brown Jr impact the game to the tune of 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Off the bench, veteran LaMarcus Aldridge scored 14 points on 70 FG%. However, the Nets were beaten because of their season-long deficiency: defense. They couldn’t stop the Celtics down the stretch and subsequently lost the game. Jayson Tatum scorched the Nets for 54 points on 53.3 FG%. Jaylen Brown added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on an ailing ankle. Against the Hornets, the Nets will be without Ben Simmons, Joe Harris, LaMarcus Aldridge, and David Duke. Cameron Thomas is a game time decision. 

Over their last five games, the Hornets are 3-2 with the 9th Offensive and Defensive Rating. They are on a 2-game winning streak, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs. Against the Spurs, the Hornets prevailed 123-117 because of the stellar backcourt. Terry Rozier paced the Hornets with 31 points on 10/18 from the field and 6/8 from three. Rozier also chipped in 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal. LaMelo Ball produced 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists on 43.7 FG%. Off the bench, Kelly Oubre Jr scored 12 points and swiped 3 steals. Spurs forward Keldon Johnson exploded for 33 points and 8 rebounds on 58.3 FG%. All-Star guard Dejounte Murray flirted with a triple-double at 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Hornets outscored the Spurs, but they need to recalibrate their defense and focus on getting stops. Against the Nets, the Hornets will be without Gordan Hayward and rookie James Bouknight. Jalen McDaniels is questionable to play.

Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds

The Hornets defeated the Nets 111-95 in their previous matchup on October 24th. The Nets were up 8 points at halftime, but they were outscored by 9 in the 3rd and 15 in the 4th. Miles Bridges led the Hornets in scoring with 32 points on 56.2 FG%. LaMelo Ball had 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kevin Durant was the scoring leader with 38 points. In this rematch, I like the Nets to win a close game. They have the two best players in this matchup, and Durant is eager to finally turn things around. I expect the game to be high scoring; both teams are offense-oriented and dreadful on defense. Look for Durant to lead the game in scoring and carry the Nets to a win. 

TV Schedule

Date: 3/8/22
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Arena: Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
Channel: NBA League Pass

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Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup

PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Seth Curry
SF: Bruce Brown Jr
PF: Kevin Durant
C: Andre Drummond

Brooklyn Nets Analysis

The Nets must get contributions outside of Kevin Durant if they want to win this game. He’s scored 31 points and 37 points since he returned, but the Nets lost both games. Durant likely clears 30 points again, yet the Nets might still need another 90-95 points to outscore this high-octane Hornets offense. Kyrie has to step up and dazzle with his isolation scoring and perimeter shooting. He only scored 19 against the Celtics; this level of production will not cut it. James Harden is gone, so Irving must be the 2nd scoring punch on offense. The team needs at least 60 points from the pair to counter the Hornets. 

Outside of their duo, the Nets need offense from Seth Curry and Patty Mills. Curry is a lethal shooter who can drain 8 threes when hot. He’s taken a backseat since Durant returned, going for 8 points in each game. Durant and Kyrie will draw the brunt of the defensive focus, so Curry can slip through screens and find himself open for a catch and shoot three. He must get more involved in the offense and provide balance. Off the bench, the Nets have some scoring options. Mills is a crafty veteran averaging 12.6 PPG on 41.4 3PT%. He’s hit 20+ points multiple times this season, so he is capable of leading the bench unit. Aldridge was a consistent threat for the Nets, so his absence will hurt. If Cameron Thomas can play, he has the capacity to create his own offense. He would provide a boost to the bench and overall offense. 

Charlotte Hornets Starting Lineup

PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Miles Bridges
PF: PJ Washington
C: Mason Plumlee

Charlotte Hornets Analysis

The Hornets face a difficult task in stopping the Nets duo from scoring. Miles Bridges is their best option to guard Durant. The 6’7” forward can keep up with Durant on the perimeter and use his length to contest shots. Unfortunately, Durant is truly unstoppable and will get his shot off against anybody. Bridges won’t be a traffic cone, but there is not too much he can do against someone like Durant. The Hornets should focus on cutting off Durant’s help since he cannot win the game by himself. Sticking to Curry on the perimeter is a must because his shooting can blow the game wide open. Rozier is a quick guard who should mark Curry, while LaMelo likely defends Kyrie. It’s a mismatch, but the Hornets lack an elite perimeter defender to throw at the Nets. Shoring up the paint and forcing the Nets to win on jump shots is the Hornets best bet defensively.  

Off the bench, Kelly Oubre Jr and Cody Martin must provide two-way play. Winning the bench minutes will be key for this Hornets squad. Oubre Jr (16.3 PPG, 1.2 SPG) and Martin (8.1 PPG, 1.3 SPG) can neutralize Mills and Dragic while adding 20-25 of their own points.

Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Hornets Daily Fantasy Picks

For this matchup, I like Durant, Ball, and Rozier to shine. Durant is legitimately one of the best scorers of all time who will make his presence known. If the Hornets had prime Kawhi Leonard to guard Durant, I would still pick him for fantasy. Look for Durant to score 35+ points with a few rebounds and assists. For the Hornets, I like the starting backcourt to fill the box score. Irving and Curry are mediocre defenders, so the lane is clear for them. Ball is a constant triple-double threat who provides tremendous value in fantasy. A double-double would be rare for Rozier, but he can score 30+ points on a great night from three. The Hornets trust their backcourt to produce points, and you should also.