Hoops Habit
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Playing ‘Contender or Pretender’ With Eastern Conference Playoff Teams

By Jon Shames

Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford talks with guard Nicolas Batum (5) and guard Kemba Walker (15) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Hornets defeated the Grizzlies 98-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Charlotte Hornets – 6th seed

The Charlotte Hornets needed a playoff berth this season, and if current trends continue, they will achieve that goal. Unfortunately, what they actually accomplish in the postseason will likely be minimal.

The Hornets have played well recently, winning eight of their last 10, but they have been far too inconsistent this season to be penned a first-round winner, never mind a real contender.

Charlotte is in the top 11 in both defensive and offensive efficiency, but very rarely does the team play well on both ends in a given night. They struggle to score off turnovers they generate, and give up huge runs to the opposition when their own offense fails.

The lack of mental toughness is ever-present, and whether it’s the fault of coach Steve Clifford or the players themselves, it’s going to haunt the Hornets in the postseason.

As far as Xs and Os go, the Hornets are an easy team to plan against. Charlotte is third in points generated from three-pointers, and when the long balls aren’t falling, this team is prone to offensive struggles and rushed possessions. In the fourth quarter especially, rehearsed sets tend to break down in favor of hero ball attempts from Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum.

Hence, the Hornets rank 27th in fourth-quarter points.

Against a well-coached Boston team that is third-best at defending the three-pointer, and second in forcing turnovers, the Charlotte Hornets (who average the second-most turnovers per game) just don’t match up well. It would be very surprising to see them advance from the first round, especially in a matchup with the Celtics.

Verdict: Pretender

Prediction: First-round loss vs. Boston (4-1)

Next: Atlanta Hawks