Hornets Gameday: vs. Utah Jazz

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 16: Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets goes to the basket as teammates Khris Middleton #22 and John Henson #31 of the Milwaukee Bucks watch on during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on January 16, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) Streeter Lecka Getty Images

2 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena

TV: Fox Sports Southeast Radio: WBCN AM-1660

Projected Starters

Hornets			Jazz
Pos, Player	PPG	RPG	Pos, Player	PPG	RPG
G K. Walker	19.1	4.1	G R. Neto	5.7	1.5
G N. Batum	15.7	6.2	G R. Hood	13.2	3.1
F P. Hairston	6.1	2.6	F G. Hayward	19.2	5.1
F M. Williams	9.5	6.5	F T. Lyles	4.7	4.1
C C. Zeller	9.0	6.0	C R. Gobert	8.9	10.2

Matchup to Watch

Gordon Hayward vs. P.J. Hairston: Hayward has lived up to that huge offer sheet he signed with the Hornets two summers ago (the Jazz matched). Hairston figures to take the first turn guarding him. Nic Batum also figures to guard him some.

Observations

▪ The Hornets traditionally play a day game on Martin Luther King Day. That will switch radio coverage from 610 to 1660.

▪ Like the Hornets, the Jazz have had injuries to significant players this season. Alec Burks has a broken leg and Dante Exum is out following surgery to repair an ACL.

Tap-ins

▪ Former Duke star Rodney Hood scored 24 points in the last Hornets-Jazz matchup.

▪ The Jazz is 8-5 this season against Eastern Conference teams.

Did you know?

Jazz center Rudy Gobert is coming off single-game season highs in points (18) and rebounds (18), assembled against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rick Bonnell

This story was originally published January 17, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: vs. Utah Jazz."

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