The Charlotte Hornets have been fighting for their playoff lives for a month in a half. Currently, in the eighth spot, the Hornets seem to be a lock to compete in the play-in tournament and their first matchup would be against the Boston Celtics for a chance to secure the seventh seed.
Despite a season-ending injury to Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are still a formidable team with a couple of offensive weapons. However, the Hornets have struggled to string wins together for the final stretch of the regular season. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have four games remaining, including one against the Washington Wizards, who currently hold a spot in the play-in tournament.
Even with the return of LaMelo Ball and Malik Monk, the Hornets have not managed to make a significant move up in the standings out East. Reaching one of the top six seeds to avoid the play-in is not likely at this point because of the sudden slump they have been in. The Celtics, Miami Heat, and Hornets were all hovering around that sixth seed, but Miami has a vice grip on that spot at the moment, winning seven of their last 10.
Getting back to that spot is not impossible, but Miami would have to drop their last four games and the Hornets would have to win theirs. The Hornets don't exactly have the easiest remaining schedule for their last four games. The Nuggets, Clippers, and Knicks are likely playoff locks. Their last game of the season would come against a hot Wizards team.
Even though the Hornets have struggled to win some games as of late, they are getting a first-hand look at what playoff basketball looks like. Obviously, the postseason has not started yet, but they know the stakes and what losing games mean for their playoff hopes. They will continue to come out swinging every night. In the Hornets' last game against the Pelicans, Terry Rozier dropped 43 points and Ball poured in 22 points in a two-point loss. Pressure will continue to be applied until their goals are reached. As for Ball, his race for the Rookie of the Year seems secured.
LaMelo Ball for Rookie of the Year hype video 🔥
(via @hornets)pic.twitter.com/ZvUUIRp4n5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 6, 2021
Even though the Hornets have not been playing their best basketball as of late, they seem to be as motivated as ever to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Injuries are primarily the reason why the Hornets fell out of the fourth spot back in March, but there is no time like the present to find their rhythm. Also, if they manage to stay in the seventh or eighth spots, they have two chances to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. The Hornets should take this one personally.
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