The Gauntlet: Hornets Edition (next 9 games)

[cbarrier90]

When the NFL schedule was released, much was made about the "gauntlet" the Panthers were facing after the bye week and after what looked to be an easy start to the schedule. As it turned out, the Panthers ended up winning all four of those games and are in the midst of an undefeated season.

The Hornets, after a somewhat surprising and relatively easy start to the season are now about to face their first litmus test of the season. So far, though they've had their ups and downs (as should be expected with such a roster turnover) they sit two games over .500 and are genuinely more enjoyable to watch this season.

Now, starting tonight, comes a stretch where we find out early on just how good this Hornets team stacks up against some of the best the NBA has to offer.

Wizards

Cavs

Bucks 

Warriors 

@ Bulls

Pistons

Heat

@ Grizzlies 

Celtics

All of these nine teams either made the playoffs last season or have aspirations to make the playoffs this season.

The good news: Save for Grizzlies to Celtics, there are no back to backs in this stretch. In addition, 7 of these 9 games are at home, including a stretch at home that continues until the Bulls game.

The bad news: on paper, talent wise there is no team that appears clearly weaker than the Hornets, and in the case of Cavs, Warriors and arguably the Heat, the Hornets do not possess the top level of talent to win (again, on paper.)

With this in mind, what are your expectations for this particular stretch of games? Win-loss predictions?

Keep in mind this nine game stretch only accounts for nine percent of the total NBA season, roughly 1.5 games in NFL terms, so while a rough stretch here would be a setback, it's not a "make or break" scenario.

[Omega Atrocity]

I'm looking forward to this stretch, we have looked pretty good so far and I really expect us to come out of this stretch about 2 games over .500 just like we are now. The win in Dallas didn't really seem impressive but they have only lost 5 games so far this season. I think we're pretty good, and I expect 5-4 or 4-5 in this stretch. 

Wizards: W- We own the Wizards and they have been struggling to adapt to a new offense

Cavs: W- I think we finally beat a team with LeBron James on it, it is long overdue

Bucks: W- They have struggled and I think Batum can find the holes in their very good defense

Warriors: L- They are too good, I can't imagine any team they would lose to

@Bulls L- Good team on the road, we'll probably lose and it wouldn't be a bad loss

Pistons: L- I fear Drummond will own us

Heat: W- We owe them one and this one is on our home floor

@Grizzlies: L- We don't match up with them very well anymore and it's on the road

Celtics: W- They are pretty much the definition of mediocre with every player on their team being a bench guy, I think we handle them pretty easily

[JJman Returns]

Wizards - W

Cavs - L

Bucks - W

Warriors - L

Bulls - L

Pistons - W

Heat - W

Grizzlies - L

Celtics - W