Short-handed Hornets bring NBA's top offensive glass to Phoenix

The Charlotte Hornets (4-7), who rebound a league-best 32.2% of their own misses, visit the Phoenix Suns (4-6), 29th on the defensive glass, on Thursday night, November 12, with tip-off at 9 p.m. ET.

The Hornets need those second chances. They score 101.3 points per 100 possessions and post an effective field goal percentage of 48, both last in the league, and no team takes a bigger share of its shots from three.

Phoenix secures only 67.1% of opponents' misses, so every long rebound is a chance for the Hornets. The Suns are also without center Mark Williams, who is out with a return expected Wednesday, February 3.

Moussa Diabate, who is probable, does the work inside for Charlotte. He averages 9.1 rebounds, 5.2 of them on the offensive end.

With the ball, the edge turns to Phoenix. The Suns post an effective field goal percentage of 55, eighth in the league, against a Charlotte defense that ranks 25th in opponents' shooting. Devin Booker leads them at 25.1 points a game and makes 93.7% of his free throws. Miles Bridges adds 7.4 rebounds a night.

Charlotte arrives thin. Brandon Miller, its top scorer at 20.6 points a game, is out and expected back Sunday, November 15. Dennis Schroder, who leads the team with 4.8 assists, is out until an expected return Wednesday, November 25.

Kon Knueppel, who plays 31.4 minutes a game, is out until an expected return Saturday, December 12. Hannes Steinbach is also out, along with two more players, and Grant Williams is probable.

Both teams come in off a win. The Hornets beat Cleveland 124-112 at home a game after a 119-80 loss to Boston, and the Suns routed the Clippers 133-110 after a 122-96 home loss to San Antonio.

Sportsbooks' prices give the Suns a 68% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available and blended with the market, puts it at 69%, with Phoenix by 8.1 points.