Why is Charlotte's defense melting?
Since Steve Clifford was named head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, defense has been that organization's calling card. They'd ground their opponents down into a muddy, low-scoring brawl, and hope to score enough points to survive.
But this year, exceedingly so over their last 10 games, Charlotte's defense has been uncharacteristically atrocious. Here's a closer look at why that is, courtesy of The Charlotte Observer:
Mistakes on defense have become a common refrain for the Hornets of late, and the Milwaukee Bucks feasted on them in the final three quarters of a 105-92 victory at Time Warner Cable Arena. Khris Middleton had 24 points to lead the Bucks, who dealt the Hornets their ninth loss in 10 games. The Hornets surged to an early lead, and led by 10 after the first quarter, but the Bucks racked up 65 points in the middle two quarters and easily fended off one mini-charge early in the fourth quarter.
Over their last 10 games, the Hornets have allowed 109.8 points per 100 possessions. The only teams that performed worse in that span are the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers.
That's right, Charlotte has been worse than the Los Angeles Lakers.
Defense is a huge problem right now, and there's a good chance this slump keeps them out of the playoffs.