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Charlotte Hornets: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

By Jen Julie Smith

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 29: A general view of shirts on seats prior to the game between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 29: A general view of shirts on seats prior to the game between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images /

Charlotte must protect their home court

As strongly as a hornet protects its nest, so too must Charlotte protect their home court. Once they achieve their goals of making it to the playoffs next season, having home-court advantage is not a given.

At home last season, the Hornets had a 22-19 record. If they want to sneak into the postseason this year, it’s going to be an uphill battle if they don’t learn to win at home, where they should be playing their best basketball and everyone should be performing at optimum levels.

In order to protect home court, Charlotte first and foremost must protect the ball. That means limiting turnovers, and winning those 50-50 balls on the floor and at the rim.

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    • Underneath the rim is where Howard can prove most useful, as he crashes the glass for those loose balls on both the offensive and defensive ends.

    But those 50-50 balls on the floor require all hands on deck. Everyone should be making hustle plays to grab those loose balls. And after gaining possession, Charlotte must capitalize and finish at the rim.

    In addition, everyone’s free throw percentages should be at their best while playing in front of the home crowd, especially when they have their fans behind them.

    Bottom line, basic fundamentals should be at play. Don’t have the team running to the other end of the floor, while only the opposing team is there to grab a rebound.

    There are no trap games. Charlotte must have the mindset that every opponent, no matter where they finished last season, will present a challenge.

    After predicting how each player on their starting lineup stacks up against that of the Boston Celtics in their first preseason game, that doesn’t mean the season will end that way — especially if they’re able to do what’s expected and take care of home.

    Therefore, the fourth key of protecting their home court is a must if the Hornets want to see postseason action.

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