Charlotte @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 31, 2018 ) Charlotte 123, Atlanta 110

The Charlotte Hornets are struggling, having lost six of their past seven entering Thursday’s visit to the Atlanta Hawks, and defense has played a big role in their recent skid. The Hornets lost 119-115 on Tuesday at New Orleans to drop 10 games below .500 for the first time since Dec. 31, and in the past seven games have allowed 119.1 points per contest while limiting just one team to fewer than 110 points.

“In the second half we held them to 47 (points), and played the kind of defense that would allow us to play well every night,” Charlotte coach Steve Clifford told reporters after Tuesday’s defeat, a game in which the Hornets gave up 72 points in the opening two quarters. Atlanta began Wednesday tied with Orlando for the bottom spot in the Eastern Conference following Tuesday’s 119-107 loss to Oklahoma City. The Hawks pushed the Thunder most of the night and were tied at 103 with 5:15 remaining, only to give up the game's next 16 points. “They made one last run and separated from us and closed out the game,” Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer told the media afterward.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast

ABOUT THE HORNETS (29-39): Former Atlanta center Dwight Howard – traded to Charlotte in the offseason – finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday for his 41st double-double of the season. Kemba Walker also scored 22 points and ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference with 43 games of 20-plus points this season. Charlotte continues to get strong play from its bench, led by Frank Kaminsky (21 points Tuesday) and Jeremy Lamb (16 points).

ABOUT THE HAWKS (20-48): Taurean Prince followed up his career-high 38 points Sunday with 25 points Tuesday, and is 10-for-21 from 3-point range in his past two games after scoring a combined 12 points in his previous two contests. Atlanta, which has lost Kent Bazemore (knee) for the season, got 13 points from rookie Damion Lee in his NBA debut Tuesday. Rookie John Collins is averaging 10.3 points and seven rebounds per game on 57.8 percent shooting from the field.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Walker is averaging 22.7 points per game and is 14 3-pointers shy of reaching 1,000 for his career.

2. Charlotte opponents are shooting 49.9 percent from the field against the Hornets since Feb. 5.

3. Atlanta has made 42 3-pointers in its past three games, including 19 against Chicago on Sunday.

PREDICTION: Hornets 109, Hawks 102