Golden State Warriors @ Charlotte Hornets Game 45 Preview
By Weldon Jones
The Warriors and Hornets have stars at similar positions and this will make for some spicy match-ups.
Stephen Curry vs Kemba Walker: The Battle of star point guards
Golden State and Charlotte have a few things in common. One of the biggest similarities you will find is the generational talent they have at the lead guard position. Stephen Curry, and Kemba Walker, have established themselves as elite guards in the NBA. Opposing teams account for these two players heavily in their defensive schemes.
It should be entertaining to watch what both teams decide to do about the opposing point guards in this game. This match-up could decide the game in specific scenarios and that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Kemba Walker is a score first guard who likes to break opposing defenders down and make plays with regularity.
Stephen Curry is also a score first guard however, he prefers to play within the flow of the game, and shoot a lot of three point shots. Stephen Curry is definitely closer to a pure point than Kemba Walker is but, it will be interesting to see if the Warriors guard is more aggressive than usual in this game, because it would be a homecoming for him if we are being technical about it.
Kevin Durant vs Nicolas Batum: Two do-it all swingmen
Kevin Durant is a top 3 player in the NBA. He has evolved from just a high volume scorer to a swiss army knife for the Golden State Offense and Defense. His counterpart in this game, Nicolas Batum plays a similar role for Charlotte. Batum is the best play-maker, a solid defender, a good scoring option, and the efficient co-star to Kemba Walker.
Both Durant and Batum have the capability to blow a game wide open with impact plays. Kevin Durant is probably the best scorer in basketball right now and he is scarily efficient. He is also an elite rebounder, play-maker, and capable defender. In terms of scoring ability he has an advantage over Batum. The Hornet’s wing star, Batum is the better play-maker and that could be his advantage. Both of these players will be accounted for in defensive schemes, and it would be interesting to see how this game within a game plays out.
Charlotte Hornets’ Keys to Game
- Run Golden State off of the three point line
- Get Kemba Walker going early
- A very strong effort from supporting cast
- Get after it defensively
Golden State Warriors’ Keys to Game
- Neutralize Charlotte’s primary play-makers (Batum, Walker)
- Consistent Defensive effort
- Get out in Transition
- Get Stephen Curry going early
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