Hornets Gameday: versus Miami Heat
8 p.m. Time Warner Cable Arena
TV: ESPN, Fox Sports Southeast Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.
Projected Starters
Hornets | Heat | |||||
Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | |
G K. Walker | 20.9 | 4.4 | G G. Dragic | 14.1 | 3.8 | |
G C. Lee | 8.9 | 3.1 | G D. Wade | 19 | 4.1 | |
F M. Williams | 11.7 | 6.4 | F J. Johnson | 13.4 | 2.8 | |
F F. Kaminsky | 7.5 | 4.1 | F L. Deng | 12.3 | 6 | |
C A. Jefferson | 12.0 | 6.4 | C H. Whiteside | 14.2 | 11.8 | |
Matchup to Watch
Kemba Walker versus Goran Dragic: Walker was just OK in the Game 5 victory that put the Hornets within a victory of clinching this series. But Walker’s reputation as a closer is well earned.
Observations
▪ Hornets small forward Nic Batum appeared to be favoring his left ankle in his return to the active roster, but he made two huge jump shots late. According to coach Steve Clifford, Batum will again play as a reserve Friday.
▪ Hornets reserve center Cody Zeller suffered a knee contusion in the first half, but came back to play 16 minutes in the second half.
Tap-ins
▪ While center Al Jefferson is back in the starting lineup, he did not play any in the fourth quarter Wednesday.
▪ Hornets shooting guard Courtney Lee has grabbed three offensive rebounds of great impact in this series.
▪ Third-string center Spencer Hawes will miss at least a week with a right knee sprain (MCL).
Did you know?
If the Hornets win Friday they will have advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 postseason.
Rick Bonnell
This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: versus Miami Heat."