Boston Celtics

Charlotte Hornets Look to Snap Three-Game Losing Streak in Boston

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:06 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jerry Stephens/FanSided via Swarm and Sting

The Charlotte Hornets travel to Boston without Kemba Walker to take on the Celtics as they attempt to snap their three-game losing streak.

The Charlotte Hornets (14-12) are set to face off against the Boston Celtics (13-12) for the second time this season. Last time out, Steve Clifford’s side fell to the Washington Wizards away from home. After losing their first three games on their current five-game road trip, the team looks to snap their run of poor games.

In their last game, the Celtics lost to the San Antonio Spurs on the road as they also dropped their third straight match. Boston is only 1-4 in their last five games and much like the Hornets, they are struggling for wins at the moment. With both teams struggling, this is a game where each side will come out confident and strong as they look for their first win in some time.

The Celtics will be getting a boost to their lineup with Isaiah Thomas returning to the team for the first time after missing the last four games. On the other hand, Charlotte’s starting lineup will be missing a key figure as Kemba Walker is set to miss the game because of personal reasons. It will be his first missed game of the season and the Hornets must find a way to win without their star and leading man.

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Charlotte Hornets @ Boston Celtics

7:30 p.m. EST, Friday, December 16th, 2016

TD Garden

Broadcast on FOX Sports SouthEast

Injury Report:

CHA:

NOT WITH TEAM – Kemba Walker (personal reasons)

BOS:

Isaiah Thomas – Strained Right Groin – Will Play

Biggest Story:

Three-Pointers

In their first meeting this season, Avery Bradley broke out with a career-high eight three-pointers made. Although that is unlikely to happen again, the Hornets must work at running the Celtics off the three-point line. Boston’s the 11th best shooting team from deep in the NBA with a 35.7% clip and it is an important part of their style of play.

Charlotte’s known as one of the best perimeter defenses in the league and they will need to prove that in this one. Limiting the number of shots the Celtics make from deep will go a long way as it could decide the outcome of the game.

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Matchup to Watch:

Ramon Sessions? vs Isaiah Thomas

With Kemba Walker out of this one, the Hornets’ backup point guard in Ramon Sessions will likely be tasked with defending all-star Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics’ guard is one of the best scoring PG’s in the league as he is averaging 26 points per game this year and he has added 6.2 assists per game to his stat line.

Without Kemba, this could be a one-sided matchup. Sessions and company must not let Thomas light them up as they will surely try their best to contain the 5-9 point guard. Ramon will have a difficult test against Isaiah but if he can do a decent job on the defensive end, it will give the Charlotte Hornets a better chance at getting the victory.