Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is averaging 19.4 points as the Hornets prepare to host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday at the Spectrum Center, a matchup where both teams currently hold a 29-31 record.
The Hornets have won three consecutive games and 13 of their last 16, significantly improving their standing in the Eastern Conference to 10th place. This turnaround is fueled by a balanced offense featuring four players – Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges – each averaging over 18 points per game. Charlotte’s offensive efficiency ranks second in the NBA during this recent stretch, and their net rating is fourth.
Portland, currently ninth in the Western Conference, has similarly found recent success, winning six of their last nine games after a six-game losing streak earlier in the month. The Trail Blazers’ offense has been particularly strong, scoring at least 121 points in five of those six victories. Deni Avdija is leading Portland with a career-high average of 24 points per game, supported by Toumani Camara, who is averaging 2.8 made three-pointers over the last ten games.
The Hornets are seventh in the NBA in offensive rebounding, averaging 12.7 per game, led by Moussa Diabate’s 3.7 offensive boards. Portland averages 16.6 turnovers per game, and has a record of 11-7 when committing fewer turnovers than their opponents. Charlotte averages 15.9 made three-pointers per game, while Portland allows an average of 13.1. Conversely, the Trail Blazers create 14.4 three-pointers per game, exceeding the 13.0 allowed by the Hornets.
In their last ten games, the Hornets are averaging 115.8 points, 47.9 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 8.0 steals, and 4.3 blocks while shooting 44.8% from the field. The Trail Blazers, over the same period, are averaging 119.8 points, 46.6 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 8.1 steals, and 6.1 blocks, shooting 47.4% from the field.
Hornets player Liam McNeeley is currently listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury.
