Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Gameday: versus Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) has scored 20 or more points in 23 games already this season.
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) has scored 20 or more points in 23 games already this season. AP

7 p.m., Spectrum Center

TV: Fox Sports Southeast Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.

Projected Starters

Hornets

Bulls

Pos, Player

PPG

RPG

Pos, Player

PPG

RPG

G K. Walker

22.6

3.9

G R. Rondo

7.9

6.5

G N. Batum

14

7.4

G D. Wade

19.3

4.2

F M. Kidd-Gilchrist

8.9

6.8

F J. Butler

24.4

6.7

F M. Williams

10.4

5.7

F T. Gibson

12.4

7.4

C C. Zeller

10.8

6.2

C R. Lopez

9.6

7.5

Matchup to Watch

Jimmy Butler vs. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Butler has evolved from an elite defender to an elite overall player. Kidd-Gilchrist is the player the Hornets count on to contain wing scorers.

Observations

▪  Hornets Kemba Walker and Nic Batum each reached 20 points and 10 assists in Wednesday’s home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

▪  After a brutal stretch of 18 games in 32 days, the Hornets have two games – both at home – in eight days.

Tap-ins

▪  The Hornets’ Batum and the Bulls’ Rajon Rondo are two of the best rebounding guards in the league.

▪  Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams is out with a wrist sprain

Did you know?

Butler has already had 23 games scoring 20 or more points.

Rick Bonnell

This story was originally published December 22, 2016 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: versus Chicago Bulls."

Sports Pass is your ticket to Charlotte sports
#ReadLocal

Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Charlotte area sports - only $1 a month

VIEW OFFER