Charlotte @ Brooklyn preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 8, 2018 ) Brooklyn 125, Charlotte 111

The Brooklyn Nets are already eliminated from the postseason race but have no intention of laying down the rest of the way with draft position of no concern. The Nets will try to earn their third consecutive win when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

Brooklyn does not own its first-round pick this season and is playing hard to the finish line as young players like Caris LeVert, D'Angelo Russell and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson try to prove they are building blocks the team can use moving forward. "It's a good feeling," Russell told reporters after delivering 14 points and seven assists in a 118-115 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. "Like I said, no matter when it comes in the season, the two wins to build off of is a great feeling." The Hornets are growing closer to mathematical elimination from the postseason race with losses in eight of the last 10 games and are playing the finale of a five-game road trip at Brooklyn. Charlotte, which suffered a 125-111 home loss to the Nets on March 8, is allowing an average of 118.3 points over its last 10 contests.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Charlotte), YES (Brooklyn)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (30-41): Charlotte is at the point where it is looking for signs from its young players and got solid games from rookie guard Malik Monk and 23-year-old center Willy Hernangomez in a 108-94 loss at the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. Monk, who was the No. 11 overall pick in last June's draft, is getting regular minutes off the bench over the last two weeks after being used sparingly and went 3-of-4 from 3-point range against the 76ers. Hernangomez, who was acquired from the New York Knicks last month, scored a season-high 17 points in 20 minutes on Monday -- his longest run since joining the team.

ABOUT THE NETS (23-48): Brooklyn is experimenting with different lineup combinations and found one recently that veteran small forward DeMarre Carroll is enjoying. "I think we're just moving the ball," Carroll told reporters of the starting unit. "We're spacing. We have different dynamics with Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) at the four who can push it, drive it, put pressure on the rim, get to the free throw line and you got a guy like D'Angelo (Russell) who sees everybody and knows who's getting it on the bounce. We just got to keep playing and keep grinding it out." Carroll scored 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, in Monday's win.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nets PF Dante Cunningham (concussion) missed the last two games and is questionable for Wednesday.

2. Hornets SG Nicolas Batum (Achilles) sat out Monday and is doubtful for Wednesday.

3. Brooklyn SG Allen Crabbe (illness) returned from a two-game absence on Monday and scored 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

PREDICTION: Hornets 120, Nets 116