NBA: All-Star break timely for feisty Hornets, revamped Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets will get some rest after their Wednesday night matchup in Charlotte, as it marks the final game for both teams before the eight-day All-Star break. But there’s plenty to digest before tip-off.

The Hornets saw their nine-game winning streak end in Monday’s fight-marred loss to the visiting Detroit Pistons. Two players from each team were ejected, including Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges.

“I think overall our guys responded to every run that they went on,” said Hornets coach Charles Lee, who was later ejected for arguing a separate call. “I just love everything they brought from a competitive spirit.”

Roster availability could be a concern for Charlotte if suspensions are handed out after the altercation. Bridges led the team with 26 points in Saturday’s 126-119 win over Atlanta.

The Hawks, meanwhile, have dropped their last two games—first to the Hornets and then 138-116 at the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. Atlanta’s new-look roster continues to present challenges.

“We're not used to those lineups yet,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “We're still trying to figure out some of those guys and those combinations.”

Charlotte has gone more than a month without back-to-back losses and showed resilience against Detroit’s physical play. Earlier this season, the Hornets and Hawks split two games, with home teams winning on Nov. 23 and Dec. 18. Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel led Charlotte in scoring in both matchups, while Diabate has been the team’s top rebounder in all three games against Atlanta.

Amid Monday’s postgame chaos, Knueppel reached a milestone, becoming the first rookie this season to reach 1,000 points in his 53rd game. In the past 25 years, only three players have done it faster. Knueppel also tried to restrain Diabate during the fracas.

“I just tried to de-escalate him because I knew he wouldn't hurt me,” Knueppel said.

With the potential for suspensions and a physical schedule ahead, Charlotte is bracing for challenges.

“We're going to have to play through some physicality some games,” Hornets swingman Brandon Miller said.

Defensively, the Hawks have struggled, giving up more than 130 points in four games since the start of January. Against the Timberwolves, they allowed 81 points in the first half alone.

“I just thought they got clean open looks,” Snyder said. “They shot the ball well, but we didn't make them uncomfortable enough. ... A lot of the shots were contested, but they just had too much space.”

A zone defense helped in the second half, but early lapses affected Atlanta’s transition offense. CJ McCollum had 38 points in the Minnesota game, his highest output in 15 games since joining the Hawks from the Washington Wizards. He scored 12 points in 28 minutes against Charlotte last week.

Newcomer Gabe Vincent made his Hawks debut on Monday after being traded from the Los Angeles Lakers. He contributed two points, four assists, three steals, and one rebound in 19 minutes.

“Gabe, in particular, gave us some very good minutes,” Snyder said.

The Wednesday matchup promises to be competitive as both teams look to end the pre-All-Star stretch on a high note.

—Field Level Media/Reuters