Charlotte Hornets vs Golden State Warriors: Match Preview and Predictions - 2nd November 2019
Match details
Fixture: Charlotte Hornets vs Golden State Warriors
Date and time: Saturday, 2 November 2019, 7:30 p.m. E.T.
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco
Last game results
Charlotte Hornets (2-3): 118-111 win against the Sacramento Kings (30 October 2019)
Golden State Warriors (1-3): 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns (30 October 2019
Golden State Warriors preview
A season ago no one would have imagined the current sorry state of the Golden State Warriors. After reaching five straight NBA finals, the Warriors were expected to be highly competitive again despite losing Kevin Durant in Free Agency and Klay Thompson to an ACL injury.
But four games into the season, they have been historically poor on defense. And they have just lost their superstar Steph Curry to a terrible injury.
Key player - Draymond Green
Draymond Green's resume speaks for itself. He is a former Defensive Player of the Year, three-time NBA champion and a three-time All-star. Green is the galvanizing force behind the Warriors and has to lead them with his defense and energy.
The Warriors lost Curry to a hand injury and that has made Green's role even more critical. He has to be the leader on both ends and take his team to victory.
Green recorded a triple-double in the Warriors' only victory of the season and will be looking to dominate in this match as his team search for their first win at the Chase Center.
Warriors predicted lineup
D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Poole, Glenn Robinson III, Draymond Green, Willie Cauley-Stein
Charlotte Hornets preview
The Charlotte Hornets on the other hand have played good basketball in their West Coast road trip. They are coming off a great victory against the Sacramento Kings.
The Hornets lost Kemba Walker in the free agency and will struggle to make the playoffs, but have shown promise in the early fixtures.
Key player - Terry Rozier
Terry Rozier has to be the most important player for the Hornets in this match. Rozier has averaged 16 points and 5.6 assists in the first five games of the season.
Rozier will be keen to prove himself after struggling last season to get the starting role with the Boston Celtics. He signed a huge contract with the Hornets in the off-season and his new team would expect him to replace Walker as the starting point guard in their lineup.
Hornets predicted lineup
Terry Rozier, Dwayne Bacon, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, Cody Zeller
Hornets vs Warriors Match Prediction
The Warriors have looked really bad at the start of the season. They are a far cry from the championship contender team that they were in the previous seasons, and the loss of Curry to injury means they will find it incredibly tough to even make the playoffs this season.
The Hornets meanwhile have played good basketball so far, but they lack the star power in their team to be competitive throughout the season.
The match should be a close one. I am predicting the Warriors to edge out this encounter and register their first home victory.
Where to watch Hornets vs Warriors?
This Inter Conference match-up can be seen on Fox Sports, or you can stream it live online with NBA League Pass.