Game 15: CHA at IND

[Eastley]

Game chat: #Game 15: CHA at IND - Chat - Hornets Planet

Charlotte Hornets (4-10, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (1-13, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana is looking to end its three-game home skid with a victory against Charlotte.

The Pacers are 0-5 in Eastern Conference games. Indiana is the Eastern Conference leader with 14.5 offensive rebounds per game led by Isaiah Jackson averaging 2.8.

The Hornets are 3-6 in conference play. Charlotte ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference shooting 36.3% from 3-point range.

The Pacers score 108.9 points per game, 10.8 fewer points than the 119.7 the Hornets allow. The Pacers average 116.5 points per game, 6.9 fewer points than the 123.4 the Pacers allow to opponents.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 24.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Pacers. Bennedict Mathurin is averaging 25 points over the past 10 games.

Kon Knueppel is averaging 17.6 points and six rebounds for the Hornets. Miles Bridges is averaging 22.0 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 1-9, averaging 107.2 points, 45.2 rebounds, 23.1 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 40.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 123.8 points per game.

Hornets: 2-8, averaging 111.8 points, 45.4 rebounds, 24.8 assists, 6.6 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.7 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Quenton Jackson: out (hamstring), Obi Toppin: out (foot), Johnny Furphy: out (ankle), Aaron Nesmith: out (knee), Kam Jones: out (back), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Hornets: Grant Williams: out (acl), Brandon Miller: out (shoulder), Josh Green: out (shoulder), Liam McNeeley: out (illness).

---

Per ESPN

[Mich_Mercer]

This is a very winniable game. We have no reason to not win thiis one. But…..

[system]

Originally sent in Game 15: CHA at IND

Mich_Mercer

Good start for Kon.

spectre

Kon is a damn assassin

Mich_Mercer

Hate that they let Siakam just walk up and shoot that 3

Kon was on the NBC National News earlier. For having the team over for dinner the other night. Good story.

We made it to the national news.

meloFan

I am loving how ready Kon is, after TJ it is a breath of fresh air

Mich_Mercer

I was just telling a friend that Kon is more mature than I am at his age than I am now. I am 40 lol

GoBobcats24

Drew Peterson in, it's over for Indy now

1

Mich_Mercer

I don’t get it. I’d rather just have Tijan.

1

spectre

WTF is it this love affair with Peterson?

GoBobcats24

Tidjane is 10 times the player Peterson is from what I have seen

With Peterson on the floor we are 4 on 5 on offense

He hasn't been that bad defensively though, obviously that's why he is out there

2

dnbman

Drew just scored.

GoBobcats24

And as I say that he does THAT

2

Mich_Mercer

He’s going off!

Kon who?

GoBobcats24

With as wrong as I was about Kon's upside I am so happy to be wrong about anything these days lol

1

dnbman

Bro… we're all out here spitballing trying to make it through our days.

Mich_Mercer

Me too… me too. I thought Kon was just a “safe” roll player pick. Didn’t know he’d be this good already. He’s better than I thought he’d ever be already.

1

GoBobcats24

Yup he is showing more right now than most pundits viewed as his ceiling lol

Mich_Mercer

It’s probably bc he’s slow and white. Haha

dnbman

Guessing I had a slightly higher vision of him, but that's more or less how I regarded him.

Mich_Mercer

I am slow and white as well.

1

spectre

To be fair tho how many all star white wings from usa have there been? Hayward. Cant think of another

1

dnbman

But I was fine with that: a very good if not great player that could allow us to be better as a team.

spectre

But I’m ecstatic that we seem to have found that guy

Mich_Mercer

I’m at that point where I think he’ll be an Allstar. I’m all in.

If Miller and Ball can stay in the court…. It could get crazy.

spectre

Its his bbiq its through the roof

1

Mich_Mercer

Everything he does has a purpose. And it’s not based on athleticism.

We have ourselves a smaller guard Jokic over here.

dnbman

I know a lot of people have different takes on a "core." Do you see Mousa as part of that?

spectre

Yes

GoBobcats24

As backup big yes

He is young and improving in leaps

dnbman

I think my take on core as broader than me: like the main pieces that fit together to make a whole.

spectre

Easy too because hes so cheap right now

Mich_Mercer

I love Moussa.

Love how he gets the ball.

We need all our guys to have his mentality

meloFan

Yeah moussa is a keep

spectre

As much as Mousa has improved over just one year he could end up being really good

Mich_Mercer

Every team needs players like him. He does all the dirty work.

GoBobcats24

Lamelo still can't get a whistle what a shock

1

Mich_Mercer

Ok… let’s get KJ out of the game.

GoBobcats24

KJ is the tank commander

Can't convince me otherwise

spectre

Kon needs to be a little selfish with that

GoBobcats24

No need to play him with Sion on our team

meloFan

Maybe Lee has KJ Mins Over/Under

1

spectre

We know he has Peterson

1

GoBobcats24

Shit and Sexton, what the hell are we doing haha

Mich_Mercer

Game is going to go into OT and KJ is going to be in the game over Lamelo. Just watch

Lamelo can’t play a minute over 27!!

If he does… his ankle will just shatter to pieces.

GoBobcats24

So Indy's defense is worse than ours? Who would have guessed that we are the ones that look 1-13 tonight

We can't hold an opponent under 35 pts in the first to save our lives

Pacers absolutely hacking us

spectre

Its like the entire nba knows they can get away with being over aggressive against us

GoBobcats24

And KON!

That's what I call a Kon and one now

Mich_Mercer

Love it Kon! So tough

Kon is a 90s player

The game needs more players like him.

GoBobcats24

Holy shit Peterson is in

I didn't even notice

dnbman

What's Powell's link for watching games?

Mich_Mercer

I may have it from last season.

Haha how is he in again?

dnbman

Mousa with 6 boards in 7 minutes is some work.

Mich_Mercer

Actually I don’t have the link. I thought he messaged it to me last year… but I lost it. I could be crazy.

spectre

Can we access old game chats? He put it in one the other day

Mich_Mercer

Yeah… they are on the game thread.

They are alway copy and pasted there.

dnbman

got it.

spectre

I don’t miss those days. Years 2-4 of the bobcats I had to use those

dnbman

Spectre… shout out

spectre

Excellent! Pop it someone’s dms maybe?

GoBobcats24

I was bout to DM gall

Yall

Just lmk if you need it

Charles Lee getting insanely out coached right now

2

spectre

Not feeling this lineup

GoBobcats24

Bridges having a Bridges game

Not a good thing

meloFan

Lee gotta wake tf up

dnbman

Kalk going to bring us back

GoBobcats24

We legit are leaving them wide open every possession

Like recipe for loss

meloFan

Charleslee Billups perhaps?

spectre

I really don’t care for miles

GoBobcats24

Can somebody tell me what the hell Bridges is thinking?

dnbman

I like his energy, but he's not a great decision maker. So it's either he's playing well and it's good or he's not and it's bad.

GoBobcats24

Also like why in the HELL is Peterson in when we can't score

1

JFoster

This team is…. Still somehow more terrible than the pacers.

Mich_Mercer

Of course… we will lose to the Pacers. Same hornets stuff

Why is Peterson playing?? What has he done?

GoBobcats24

He evidently has Hornets DNA

1

[system]

Originally sent in Game 15: CHA at IND

GoBobcats24

Aka he can't shoot 3s and he leaves people open from 3. Is that Hornets DNA?

Sorry being too harsh

1

spectre

Sadly the whole team is not being so sharp on D

Strong basket there by miles

Mich_Mercer

Matherin has so much talent. He can be a beast

spectre

Can’t buy a bucket

Mich_Mercer

Good thing we are great in the 3rd quarter……

spectre

We are?

1

Mich_Mercer

No

How does Eric Collins know everything?

spectre

Is this the worst qtr in the season for us?

Mich_Mercer

3rd quarter is about to be like… “hold my beer”

1

spectre

Pretty brutal

GoBobcats24

Would help if our open guy wasn't Peterson

Mich_Mercer

My god… can’t even make that layup Lamelo?

spectre

Everything coming up short

GoBobcats24

Also what happened to Sexton

He was giving ilus good energy and we just benched him again

Mich_Mercer

Sexton < Peterson

-coach Lee

dnbman

If you take Miles, Kalk, and Kon out, the rest of our team was 7/36 shooting

GoBobcats24

Lee hates Sexton

Not sure what to make of it

Also looking at halftime offensive stats we are lucky to be within 25

And everyone knew our defense would suck tonight

Mich_Mercer

I’m not sure what he has against the guy. Does he not have “Hornets DNA”?

GoBobcats24

He did before the season according to Lee

The Hornets must be suffering DNA contamination

Icky_Thump

Down 16 at the half to a 1 win team…

FULL SPEED AHEAD

1

dnbman

Sexton still played 12 minutes, most of anyone not starting. Don't know that I read hate into that.

Mich_Mercer

That only puts him at 24 minutes… for the whole game.

The Hornets players every year with injuries.

dnbman

Sincerely asking: what should his minutes look like? He's averaging 26 on the season and a little over 29 for his career.

GoBobcats24

Sexton should be getting 30 mins off the bench in a game like this and can't sit for long stretches when we are struggling to score.

dnbman

Ball and Kon seems like a buddy cop movie

GoBobcats24

We are making these guys look like they are still in the Finals

Like these guys couldn't guard the 3pt line if their lives depended on it

At what point should we question the defensive scheme vs personnel? Pacers toying with us

Especially against a team that has struggled with rim pressure all year

Did we just get a delay of game tech out of a timeout? Lol

Drew Peterson to the rescue

Came in for LaMelo lol

Mich_Mercer

Peterson… yay

Matherin is killing us.

I’m going to turn this off

GoBobcats24

Kalkbrenner getting destroyed in droo

Mich_Mercer

What does Peterson do?

GoBobcats24

Drop

JFoster

I couldnt imagine still investing money into this travesty of a team.

GoBobcats24

Lee had these guys completely unprepared tonight, defensive embarrassment

1

Mich_Mercer

I just don’t get why you don’t just call up Tidjan… why Peterson… it’s like he’s the first dude off the bench.

GoBobcats24

If Lamelo can't even play anymore what is the point of this season?

Mich_Mercer

27 minutes sir… and not a minute more

The other 21 minutes go to … Drew Peterson.

I honestly with we just wish we had Dimwiddy (can’t spell)

GoBobcats24

Like Connaughton has been great this season

No reason he is behind Peterson in rotation

Mich_Mercer

Oh for real. He’s been pretty good with the minutes he’s played. Hes an nba player.

GoBobcats24

Prove me wrong Peterson

Mich_Mercer

I’m sorry what I’ve said about you Drew.

1

dnbman

Drew responds to the chat.

GoBobcats24

Dude what are we actually doing on defense tonight

Oh good Peterson is 26

On a 2 way

Lol

Somebody take me out of my misery with this Peterson guy

Icky_Thump

Drew is the Tank Captain!

GoBobcats24

I can't take it

We are tanking

Gave up 34 more points that quarter

meloFan

I’m calling for Lees head this is atrocious

GoBobcats24

38 32 34 in 3 quarters. Indy came into the game 30th in fg %

dnbman

Kon

GoBobcats24

Kalk getting majorly exposed tonight

Mich_Mercer

I wish we’d play some defense.

Kon’s good.

I want to see him take more shots than Miles moving forward.

powellrmp

Keep your controversial opinions to yourself

I had a tough time watching this one tonight guys

I had the game on in the background hoping that I would get pulled in at some point. To see an inspiring win against a 1 win team

Mich_Mercer

Please play Connington over Peterson moving forward

powellrmp

Easy mich. Getting crazy man. Whats the next thing you’ll say? “I don’t care for kj Simpson minutes.”

GoBobcats24

Wait Connaughton is better than Peterson? Who knew?

Mich_Mercer

Lamelo out for the game…. Watch

So stupid

Making a comeback and take him out at the end of the 4th

meloFan

Time for peterson minutes, Lees parlay on the line /s

GoBobcats24

Yuo

Yup

Like I said, what is the point of playing a game

2

Mich_Mercer

So like…. He’lll never be able to play at the end of games now?

This is just crazy

I want it hold onto to Lamelo… but if he can’t play at the end of games…. Just trade him. What’s the point

1

meloFan

Tbh sexton missed layup killed our momentum

Mich_Mercer

Exactly 27 minutes… so stupid

Taking Lamelo out killed the momentum too

Right in the middle of a comeback

1

[system]

Originally sent in Game 15: CHA at IND

Mich_Mercer

Why do we watch?

meloFan

This is stupid

Play him

Mich_Mercer

Like… he needs to stand up and say “screw this” “put me in the game”

I’m baffled

meloFan

If 3 more minutes kills him he shouldn’t play at all

1

Mich_Mercer

I mean… I knew it. 27 minutes

GoBobcats24

Having to sit LaMelo at the end of the game is going to cost us the game most of the time

And all those Peterson minutes killed us

1

meloFan

Does melo have a time bomb on him? Going over 27 mins makes him explode or something?

GoBobcats24

We are tanking I swear

ChickenCoop

these last 2 losses have bugged me more than most

Mich_Mercer

This loss and the Milwaukee loss bugged me

Bc we didn’t try

Bc our star player can’t play at the end of games

meloFan

GoBobcats24

Like if that is the case why not save his minutes so that he can play down the stretch

1

Mich_Mercer

So… Saturday. If the game is tied with 4 minutes left… Lamelo sits again right? If he’s at 27 minutes?

They need to up the restriction to 31 minutes… clearly.

I have never seen this before…

Like to not play a dude at the end of the game?? Or OT???

powellrmp

This season hurts more than others have. And that hurts a lot to say

GoBobcats24

Normally when players are on a restriction like this the coach would manage their minutes so that they were available down the stretch

ChickenCoop

would be nice to see Reeves get Petersons minutes if were doing this gleague thing

powellrmp

I’m not ignoring kon and Kalk, and the other rookies. But damn

GoBobcats24

Yeah the hurt us that we may never even get to see what Brandon and Lamelo were like together before we blow it up

powellrmp

They’ve made it feel worse actually

ChickenCoop

maybe its a lee/celtics thing - but makes no effing sense

powellrmp

The good rookies, I mean. If Melo and miller were healthy, this would be so different. But here we are again picking up the pieces of a broken season . Despite the good rookies

Mich_Mercer

Lameo is healthy now… but can’t play when it matters.

powellrmp

That’s what made me say he’s sort of still out. He doesn’t play or even shoot the same way. He’s always done the one foot thing, but now it’s just worse. And I noticed he won’t cut as hard on that ankle

GoBobcats24

Like the fact that I had no faith all day that we would win this game says a lot.

powellrmp

Like I said, having Melo and miller (essentially) be out, despite the very promising rookies is just such a kick in the dick

1

Mich_Mercer

Miller going to be on the same thing? Is this what we are going to do?

GoBobcats24

Yeah we finally have a chance to create some wins and it's just not going well

Only teams we have beaten this year are bottom of the league

Mich_Mercer

The fact that next game if it’s close, I know that Lamelo won’t play when it matters. So…. What’s the point

GoBobcats24

Including the Bucks team we won against in that

Lamelo is definitely not close to 100%

powellrmp

And now he’s not allowed to play at the end of games

GoBobcats24

He is scared to put weight on the right ankle

Either sit his ass or let him play

1

Mich_Mercer

Will he ever get closer or will he be at 27 minutes forever… until he goes to another team and plays more and is healthy?

powellrmp

But we can’t even rely on Tre Mann to soak up minutes either

GoBobcats24

Clippers are really struggling right now, gotta be licking their chops seeing Saturday's matchup

Mich_Mercer

They treat players like babies these days. Funny how in the 90s, there were less injuries and guys played harder and practiced harder.

And didn’t load manage.

powellrmp

And despite what East feels, Tre Mann has not been himself

GoBobcats24

Tre is 75% of what he was last year

powellrmp

That feels like a kind number

And sexton shouldn’t be a full time starter PG

Maybe 50-60%

GoBobcats24

Sexton is having some confidence issues right now not sure what is going on there

Mich_Mercer

Coach likes Peterson more, haha

Does coach know math though??

Like manage Lamelos minutes better throughout the game.

powellrmp

Yeah, Tre had the sick dunk. But he used to be so slippery with the ball. Could take it to the rim, nice movement to get an open mid or closer shot. Cutting, slashing

Mich_Mercer

“I’m going to make it so you’ll play your 27 minutes with 4 minutes left in the 4th”

1

powellrmp

Really crazy energy, defensive intensity, etc. now he’s just way more passive

GoBobcats24

And not getting to the rim anywhere near as much

Mich_Mercer

Love how EC was like… “Lamelo is going to sit a few minutes”

When I know he’s wasn’t going back in bc he was at 27. Will they ever up that?

powellrmp

For some reason the last three/foue games feel like such a big low

GoBobcats24

I feel the same Powell

Mich_Mercer

Asked this dude if Lamelo will ever play at the end of the gsme?

GoBobcats24

We went to OT in Milwaukee with a chance to get to 5-7

Mich_Mercer

Coach Lee is too positive

GoBobcats24

Now are 4-11

1

Mich_Mercer

Lamelo 32 minutes < loss

1

GoBobcats24

We have to keep LaMelo healthy for the offseason

Mich_Mercer

They never ask him the good questions.

1

powellrmp

Bingo. I had that same sentiment a few nights ago. Why aren’t people asking the tough questions

Between the promising rookies, Melo and miller not really playing, horrible coaching decision making, the very winnable games. And again, poor coaching via bizarre rotation decisions. I don’t know guys. This is a tough low

Mich_Mercer

“Will Lamelo ever play more than 27 minutes again?”

That’s what I want to know.

GoBobcats24

My question: Charles, you realize we didn't get Darryn Peterson yet, that guy is DREW!!!

1

Mich_Mercer

“Like… no matter the score,. He willl not play more?”

It’s weird no one talks about it

GoBobcats24

We only have a couple of guys that ask tough questions and they seem to get in trouble for it

Mich_Mercer

I really want to know that. Is that the plan “for now”

Or… forever. Lee made it seem like it was forever.

powellrmp

It’s weird that our media doesn’t press more about…anything. If this was a larger market, coach Lee et al would be getting crucified

1

Mich_Mercer

So now I will forever think he won’t play at the end of close games

GoBobcats24

I bet if you went on twitter you would see people all over him

But I don't wanna look

Mich_Mercer

Yeah… if this was the Lakers…
Lamelo would be in the gsme

It’s kind of like a high school team or rec team

GoBobcats24

We have to find a way to get the ball in Kon's hands more

1

powellrmp

Especially because he didn’t even touch the ball for the last two minutes of the bucks game. And that the last play of the game was drawn up for Miles apparently

It’s not even the Melo decisions. There’s so many rotations that just don’t make sense. At all. And when it’s not working, Lee will still let it ride ride for 3 minutes

GoBobcats24

When he drives good things happen like 95% of time

Kon was the only guy setting up LaMelo tonight

He was hunting him

1

powellrmp

Didn’t Kon have like 6 assists tonight

7 assists

A one win pacers team

tnhornetsfan

Make that 2 wins.