Hornets' three-point volume meets a Nets defense that bleeds shots

The Charlotte Hornets (44-38 last season), who took the NBA's second-highest share of shots from three, visit the Brooklyn Nets (20-62), the league's worst offense, on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 PM ET.

The Hornets took 48.7 percent of their shots from three last season. Brooklyn allowed an effective field goal percentage of 57.1, 28th in the league, so Charlotte should find clean looks on the perimeter.

The glass adds to it. Charlotte grabbed 30.5 percent of its own misses, fourth in the league, while Brooklyn collected 74 percent of opponents' misses, 18th. A missed three can become a second chance.

The Nets have little to answer with. Their offensive rating of 106.9 and true shooting percentage of 55.9 were both last in the NBA. Charlotte's defense rated 111.7, 10th, and held opponents to the seventh-lowest effective field goal percentage.

Brandon Miller scored 20.2 points a game for Charlotte and shot 89.2 percent from the free-throw line. Moussa Diabate led the Hornets with 8.7 rebounds. For Brooklyn, Michael Porter Jr. averaged 24.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in 52 games, and Julius Randle led the team with five assists a game.

The Hornets are short-handed. Kon Knueppel, who played 31.4 minutes a game last season, is out, as are Coby White and Grant Williams, all three expected back Friday, October 23. Kylan Boswell is out until Monday, November 2.

Brooklyn lists Tyler Bilodeau as out, with a return expected Saturday, October 24.

Both teams ended last season badly. Charlotte lost 121-90 at Orlando in the play-in tournament, and the Nets lost their last three games, the last a 136-101 defeat at Toronto.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Nets a 53% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, gives Charlotte a 51% chance.