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Buzz Words | Hornets Regular Season Notebook: Day 128

Sam Perley of hornets.com will be following the Hornets throughout the 2018-19 NBA Regular Season and keeping fans up to date through the Buzz Words | Hornets Notebook. Keep checking back to see what the latest is as the season unfolds.

By Sam Perley, hornets.com | Thursday, Feb. 20, 9:12 AM

The Eastern Conference’s Mad Dash to the Playoffs

  • According to Hoopshype.com, Charlotte has the NBA’s second-toughest schedule the rest of the season (.541) and toughest in the East. Only Oklahoma City’s is more challenging (.572).
  • Seven of the team’s next eight games are at home. The Hornets are 9-2 at Spectrum Center since Dec. 15.
  • The Hornets currently sit in 7th place in the Eastern Conference. Seven of their next 12 games are against either Brooklyn (6th), Miami (T-8th) or Washington (11th).
  • Charlotte’s head-to-head season series with fellow playoff-contending teams (all best of four): Brooklyn (1-1), Miami (2-0), Detroit (3-0), Orlando (2-1) and Washington (0-1).

Defensive Improvements Needed for Postseason Push

  • Charlotte entered the All-Star Break ranked 14th in the NBA in offensive rating (110.2) and 21st in defensive rating (110.9).
  • Over their last five games (1-4), the Hornets are 24th amongst all teams in both offensive (106.4) and defensive (117.1) rating and 27th in net rating (-10.7).
  • Charlotte currently sits first in the NBA in lowest turnover percentage (12.4%), fourth in made free throw differential (+2.3) and ninth in opposing offensive rebounds per game (9.9).

Parker Feeling Better, Ready for Stretch Run

  • Tony Parker missed the team’s final four-and-half games heading into the All-Star Break with back soreness, likely contributing to the 1-4 stretch.
  • The Hornets are just 1-9 this season without Parker in the lineup, although all these games have been on the road and a handful on the tail end of back-to-backs.
  • “I feel a lot better and ready to go,” said Parker after Wednesday’s practice. Coach Borrego added, “We’ve really missed him in a tremendous way... He looks good. He did every bit of practice… I think we’re trending the right way with him physically and we’re going to need him.”

Biyombo Named a NBPA Vice President

  • Over All-Star Weekend, Bismack Biyombo was named a Vice President for the National Basketball Players Association’s Executive Committee.
  • Most recently the Hornets’ player representative, Biyombo will serve a three-year term and now work in closer proximity with the NBA and Players’ Union.
  • Additional incoming Executive Committee VP’s include Malcolm Brogdan (Milwaukee) and Jaylen Brown (Boston). Andre Iguodala (Golden State) was elected First VP of the NBPA after previously serving on the Executive Committee since 2013.

By Sam Perley, hornets.com | Thursday, Jan. 24, 11:33 AM

Defense Improving Since Six-Game Western Conference Road Trip