In addition to our game-on post, Hornets247 will utilize the TrueHoop Network’s 3-on-3 format to preview games. Hope you enjoy. It’s just one of many regular features we  will be rolling out/bringing back over the next few weeks. 

1.) What kind of crowd can we expect tonight?

Michael McNamara: I think the Hive will be Alive as we get to see all of the fruits of the labor that is the “I’m In!” campaign first hand tonight. People are ready for a fresh start and Eric Gordon almost single handedly gave fans a reason for optimism on opening night. A new era of New Orleans basketball starts tonight and the people know it.

James Grayson: Well seeing as I’m going I’ll expect a big crowd. I also expect it to be loud. Not for the Hornets, just for me. Aside from that it’s the home opener with 10,000 season ticket holders under the belt. Because of this and no football being played there will hopefully be a lot of people in attendance.

Jake Madison: I’m expecting a rowdy, near sell-out crowd for the home opener tonight. Those 10,000 season ticket holders will be excited to finally see some regular season basketball.

2.) What mismatch will the Celtics look to exploit tonight?

MM: Jarrett Jack simply isn’t quick enough to keep Rajon Rondo out of the paint, and the Celtics know that. Rondo has been a beast so far this season, averaging 27 and 13, and he is the youngest of the Celtics stars so the back-to-back won’t effect him as much. Look for Eric Gordon to be covering him in the 4th if the game is close.

JG: Aside from the specific mismatch that Michael mentioned before, expect the Celtics to exploit the Hornets lack of experience. New Orleans is one of the younger teams in the league and if the Celtics get the Hornets on the ropes look for them to punish them mentally.

JM: Michael is right; the Hornets have no one who can keep up with Rondo. I’m excited to see if Gordon can keep up with him.

3.) Where can the Hornets exploit the Celtics defense?

MM: I know the easy answer here is Eric Gordon, but I am going with Captain Kaman. Outside of Kevin Garnett, the Celtics bigs are all atrocious defensively, so Kaman can come in and dominate against Boston’s second string.

JG: I think the Hornets can attack the absence of Paul Pierce tonight. With Sasha Pavlovic starting in Pierce’s place I expect Trevor Ariza to try to attack. Whether that’s a good thing or not remains to be seen. But if Ariza can take smart shots, attack the rim, he could really have a good game.

JM: I going to have to say offensive pace. The Celtics are an aging team playing the second game of a back-to-back. I know it’s not Monty Williams’ style but a fast paced offensive attack will tire out the Celtics and hopefully lead to a Hornets win. Or keep playing the Chewbacca noise after Kaman scores and hope the Celtics are too busy laughing to play D.

Also check out the 3-on-3 from ESPN Boston

14 Comments