I became a Hornets fan when they moved to New Orleans. Before the move, I really didn’t have a team, and I really didn’t follow the team in Charlotte. Regardless of my personal history, these franchises and cities will also be connected. This year the connection isn’t all that dramatic. Charlotte has been the team in the Eastern Conference I have kept an eye on in the standings all season. Why? Because there is a reasonable chance that we match their record, they go to the playoffs, and we stay home. Now, not much can be said about that besides what has already been said about the disparity between the Western and Eastern Conferences. Still, I can’t help but wonder what the headlines would look like if the Pelicans were “playoff bound”.

At any rate, the Pelicans visit the Bobcats at 6 PM tonight, and I’m expecting a pretty good game. The Bobcats are a good defensive team, but that should be clear from their roster.  As good as they may be on defense, they are just as bad on offense. They only average 99.4 points per 100 possessions, and they are one of the only teams that struggle as much from 3 point as the Pelicans. Most of their offense is going to go through Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson, who has been just phenomenal lately.

These teams are probably pretty evenly matched, but the Pelicans haven’t played incredibly well lately and the Bobcats are streaking. The line is Charlotte by 3.5. Frankly, I think that is about right. Here are my three things to watch for this game.

Nick’s Notes

1)   Anthony Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist

Davis has always admitted that games against his former Kentucky teammates mean a bit more to him. He always seems to put a little extra mustard on his blocks and dunks when he plays Kidd-Gilchrist. Let’s see if that can lead to another special performance.

2)   AD vs. Jefferson           

I know they probably won’t guard each other most of the night, but I bet there are at least a couple of exciting moments where one goes after the other. I know Davis vs. Jefferson isn’t a traditional marquee match up. On the other, hand Davis and Jefferson are 2 of only 5 guys averaging 20 and 10 right now. I think those two or three moments might end up being worth the price of admission.

3)   Watch the Young Guys

Okay, this is going to be one of my points the rest of the season. Keep an eye on the development of the young guys. If you didn’t watch last game, you missed a great performance by Rivers. He is growing as a player, and if the newly acquired guards aren’t in the line up for the Bobcats this might be a nice matchup for him. The season was about development, so you should be watching for that.

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