The Brooklyn Nets' winless home streak continues as injuries mount. Can they finally break through against the streaking Hornets? The Hornets crushed the Nets on opening night, but both teams are going to heavily rely on their benches with several starters out with injuries.
The Brooklyn Nets, already 0-9 on their home floor this season, haven't tasted victory on their home arena since April 8, when they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 119-114. That was last season.
That's almost eight months, for anybody doing the math.
The Nets will face the Charlotte Hornets Monday night. The Hornets are 6-14 on the season.
While on numbers, once again, and to nobody's surprise, the Nets (+4.5) are home underdogs, in addition to (+155) to come up short on the money line.
Additionally, Brooklyn will definitely be short-handed if leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. (back injury), averaging 24.3 points per game this season, is not available vs. the Hornets.
Haywood Highsmith (knee) and Cam Thomas (hamstring) are listed as out, while Noah Clowney (hip) is probable.
The Hornets, 1-8 on the road this season, which includes 0-1 as money line road favorites, are (-190), with the over/under total at 227.5, per BET MGM.
Charlotte, coming off a 118-111 win on Saturday over the Toronto Raptors, one of the league's hottest teams right now, is led by Miles Bridges (21.7 points, 6.5 rebounds per game).
Bridges scored 35 points in the overtime win over the Raptors, and rookie Kon Knueppel added 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Pat Connaughton (calf), Josh Green (shoulder) and Grant Williams (knee) are listed out for the Hornets.
Brooklyn, all in on trying to securing their future (to-wit: next April's NBA Draft), has lost four in a row, since cashing as 14-point underdogs vs. the Celtics in Boston, last week.
The Nets, 2-8 the last 10 times, including 1-4 in their last five, are not only 3-13 vs. the Eastern Conference, but 1-3 in games decides by at least 10 points.
It has been a rough weekend coming out of the Thanksgiving Day feast for the Nets. They were hammered by the 76ers and the Bucks on back-to-back nights.
However, Brooklyn, currently ravaged by injuries, did show some positive sides, including no quitting against Milwaukee on Saturday night. With the Nets down 99-70 after three periods against the Bucks, they won the fourth quarter, 29-17, to make the final tally in the box score a little easier on the eyes.
Rookies Danny Wolf (22 points vs. Milwaukee) and Jalen Wilson (13 points in 16 minutes) also played well - despite Brooklyn falling to 14th in the Eastern Conference, just 1/2 game ahead of the Washington Wizards.
Nic Claxton (13.6 points, 3.9 assists) is shooting 55.5% on 29.minutes a contest. He continues to be a foundational player for a franchise with its eyes fixated on the future.
However, anywhere near (+4/4.5) might be too juicy of a proposition tonight - although the Hornets defeated the Nets on opening night, 136-117 behind 25 points by Brandon Miller.
Charlotte also loves to run, while the Nets are most comfortable slowing things down - in the half court.
But taking the Nets, especially, if Porter Jr. suits up vs. the Hornets, also in 'rebuild' mood, is tempting.
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Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. (ET).