Charlotte @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2016 ) Charlotte 104, Memphis 85

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the most impressive teams out of the gate with just one loss in six games and look to remain unbeaten at home when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night. The Grizzlies boasts a victory over defending champion Golden State and knocked off high-scoring Houston 103-89 on Saturday to improve to 4-0 on their home court.

Memphis owns only three players scoring in double figures, led by center Marc Gasol (21.8 points, 10.2 rebounds), but was third in the league in scoring defense entering Sunday and allows just 93 points per game at home. The Grizzlies will have to step up again in the defensive end against Charlotte, which posted an impressive 120-113 victory over red-hot Orlando on Sunday night with a season-high 34 points from point guard Kemba Walker. Memphis held Walker to 19 points per game in two matchups last season, but the former Connecticut standout likes the way this Hornets team is coming together. “Chemistry is something we talk about a lot,” Walker told FSN Southeast. “We have to find a way to make it work on the court. We have a lot of great guys on this team, high character guys, guys that work hard and we get along very well. We want it to continue to translate on the basketball court.”

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Charlotte, Memphis)

ABOUT THE HORNETS (3-3): Walker improved his scoring average to 24.0 after making 15-of-25 from the field against Orlando and dished out 10 assists to give him 39 in six contests while two other players scored 20. Center Dwight Howard continues to produce after posting 22 points and 10 rebounds Sunday while Jeremy Lamb scored 20 for the second straight game and has not finished with fewer than 15 this season. Power forward Cody Zeller returned Sunday after missing four games with a knee injury and finished with six points to go along with six rebounds.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (5-1): Chandler Parsons managed just 22 points in his first four games of the season, but erupted for 24 in Saturday’s win over Houston on 9-of-11 from the field - including 6-of-8 from 3-point range. “That was awesome,” Parsons told reporters Saturday. “I’ve been waiting on tonight for a really long time. It’s all about confidence with me. I felt like everything I threw up there was going to go in.” Mike Conley (17.5 points, four assists) and fellow guard Tyreke Evans (12.3) are the only other Memphis players averaging in double figures scoring.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Charlotte G Dwayne Bacon, a second-round pick in last June’s draft, is averaging 5.5 rebounds in 24 minutes.

2. Memphis G Mario Chalmers scored a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting against Houston on Saturday.

3. The Hornets have won three of the last four meetings, including a 104-85 triumph at Memphis Nov. 28, 2016.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 105, Hornets 98