PREVIEW: The Charlotte Hornets arrive at Smoothie King Center with high-spacing offensive efficiency ranked fourth in the league, pairing this with solid defensive rebounding and passing mechanics that suggest a team built to move the ball and create opportunities. Fresh off a convincing 126-103 victory over Utah, the Hornets have momentum on their side with Miles Bridges dropping 29 points in that dominant performance. However, the visiting squad shows vulnerabilities in attacking the rim and creating turnovers, both areas that rank near the bottom of the league for Charlotte. On the road, the Hornets have struggled mightily, posting a 1-9 record in their last 10 away contests while allowing opponents to average 117.8 points. New Orleans presents a contrasting profile, boasting elite offensive rebounding at 33.2 percent while simultaneously battling significant weaknesses including inefficient free-throw shooting and a league-worst 30th-ranked passing attack that relies heavily on isolation plays. The Pelicans remain winless through six games this season, most recently suffering a blowout loss to Oklahoma City on the road. Defensively, New Orleans ranks 29th against rim attacks and 28th in three-point shooting allowed, creating opportunities for opponents to exploit these soft spots. Despite the team's early struggles, Zion Williamson continues anchoring the offense with strong efficiency, averaging 22.8 points while shooting nearly 49 percent from the field.