NBA Matchups: December 31

GSW @ CHA | MIN @ ATL | ORL @ IND | PHX @ CLE | NOP @ CHI | NYK @ SAS | DEN @ TOR | WAS @ MIL | POR @ OKC

Golden State Warriors at Charlotte Hornets

Team Totals: Warriors 120, Hornets 114.5

Injury Report: Ryan Kalkbrenner (O, elbow), Miles Bridges (Q, ankle), Kon Knueppel (Q, ankle)

Warriors projected starters: Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Quinten Post

Hornets projected starters: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Sion James, Moussa Diabate (Note: Expecting Miles Bridges to miss, think they play small)

Kerr quotes: Said they knew they were going to play a lot of people in the B2B, said they have a 5-in-7 stretch (today’s game will be third), said “it never gets old coaching Steph Curry,” said they played more zone to save legs, said De’Anthony Melton has a new limit of 24 minutes, said they wanted more mobility and ball movement in the second half (sat Post, started Podz 3Q), said Richard and Melton were great at closing the game, said there isn’t a path for Kuminga minutes right now “but things change quickly in the NBA.”

Lee quotes: Said everyone made the most of their opportunity with injuries, said Bridges had a right ankle sprain and he will be re-evaluated Tuesday, said Salaun had a “huge growth opportunity” to guard Giannis.

Stats and Notes: 

*The Warriors are in the middle of a 5-in-7 stretch, and Steve Kerr may keep his guys in check a bit with this early start. The Warriors are playing well defensively this year at third in the NBA, and they have generally been on track over the last month (fifth in December). They have really turned off 3-point volume lately and moved to eighth in 3-point frequency allowed (seventh lowest on C&S). Teams just have better success on the ball, and the Charlotte perimeter guys should be able to take advantage, especially with injuries to Kon Knueppel and Miles Bridges to tighten up the usage. The Hornets are another team with really poor on-ball defense, as they take away C&S with the best of them at the fourth-lowest frequency. It’s been a mixed bag overall for their defense, but they have been getting beaten up a ton inside. The Warriors have no interest in scoring inside with the league’s highest 3-point frequency, so expect the on-ball guys to get it going. 

*Stephen Curry gets a homecoming game, and he gets an excellent matchup with Sion James likely chasing him around. The Hornets are a bad halfcourt defense, and losing Miles Bridges makes it even harder to cover space against Steph. His usage has been steady all year, and the only concern for him is minutes because of this tough stretch on the schedule.

*Jimmy Butler also gets a favorable matchup with Brandon Miller guarding him. Like Steph, the Hornets not helping off too much should help him, and Butler benefits from the Hornets being worse at the basket. Butler is getting the ball a decent bit with 43.6 frontcourt touches per game over his last five (ranks fourth). His minutes will be held in check just a bit, though.

*Besides the two stars on the Warriors, it’s an easy pass. The Hornets take away C&S, so it’s not ideal for Draymond Green or Moses Moody. I’d expect Kerr to play some depth because of this part of the schedule.