Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns: Containing Devin Booker may require dual effort
1 p.m., Spectrum Center
TV: SportSouth. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.
Projected Starters
Hornets | Suns | |||||
Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | |
F, M. Kidd-Gilchrist | 9.0 | 7.2 | F, T. Warren | 13.8 | 4.7 | |
F, M. Williams | 11.5 | 6.4 | F, M. Chriss | 8.9 | 4.0 | |
C, C. Zeller | 10.5 | 6.5 | C, A. Len | 7.7 | 6.6 | |
G, N. Batum | 15.2 | 6.6 | G, D. Booker | 20.9 | 3.1 | |
G, K. Walker | 22.7 | 5.5 apg | G, T. Ulis | 21.1 | 6.3 apg | |
Matchup to Watch
Nic Batum vs. Devin Booker: Batum will probably get help from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in defending Booker, who scored 70 against Boston on Friday.
Observations
▪ Former N.C. State star T.J. Warren has missed the past two Suns games with a foot injury.
▪ The Hornets’ bench has been much improved lately. But in a 120-103 Suns victory on March 3, Phoenix’s bench outscored Charlotte’s 53-23.
Tap-ins
▪ The Suns are playing the fifth of a six-game road swing. They’ve lost their first four by an average of 17.5 points, including a 130-120 defeat at Boston on Friday. Overall, Phoenix has lost seven in a row and nine of 10.
▪ Kentucky will be well represented in this game – Tyler Ulis, Devin Booker, Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe for Phoenix; Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for Charlotte.
Did you know?
Cody Zeller had 15 points and 11 rebounds against Cleveland on Friday, becoming the first Charlotte player since P.J. Brown in 2000 to have a double-double with at least six field-goal attempts while also being perfect from the field.
David Scott
This story was originally published March 25, 2017 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns: Containing Devin Booker may require dual effort."