Hornets-Lakers preview
Hornets vs. Lakers
7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena
TV: SportSouth. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.
Projected Starters
Hornets | Lakers | |||||
Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | |
G M. Williams | 23.4 | 3.2 | G J. Clarkson | 8.4 | 2.2 | |
G G. Henderson | 11.1 | 3.1 | G W. Ellington | 9.5 | 3.3 | |
F M. Kidd-Gilchrist | 10.8 | 7.5 | F R. Kelly | 4.9 | 2.0 | |
F C. Zeller | 7.6 | 5.8 | F C. Boozer | 12.5 | 6.1 | |
C A. Jefferson | 17.1 | 8.8 | C R. Sacre | 4.6 | 3.5 | |
Matchup to Watch
Gerald Henderson vs. Wayne Ellington: These two have been best friends since they played high school ball together in suburban Philadelphia. They played against each other a lot when Henderson was at Duke and Ellington was at North Carolina.
Observations
▪ The Lakers’ season effectively ended when Kobe Bryant had rotator-cuff surgery. It would have been a struggle to make the playoffs regardless, but minus Bryant the Lakers had no shot.
▪ The Hornets had interest in Tarik Black before the Lakers claimed him off waivers.
Tap-ins
▪ For a second-round pick, ex-Duke player Ryan Kelly has done well as a frequent starter for the Lakers.
▪ A back injury ended Steve Nash’s season and likely his career.
Did you know?
The Lakers’ home victory against the Hornets on Nov. 9 was that franchise’s first win of the season after five consecutive losses.
Rick Bonnell
This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Hornets-Lakers preview."