Charles Lee isn’t one to mince words, and after Saturday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, he had a message that resonated: the Hornets must avoid complacency during their upcoming seven-game homestand at Spectrum Center.
Charlotte’s record tells a surprising story. They've been road warriors, snagging six more wins away from home than at their own court-an unusual trend in the NBA. Home court, instead of being a fortress, has been a hurdle.
In his postgame remarks, Lee dissected the challenges ahead and what the Hornets need to do to turn things around during this extended stay in Charlotte:
“We've actually played really well on the road, and our record might say differently at home. Our fans are amazing.
We will feed off of that, but we also have to make sure that we bring a level of focus and readiness on this homestand. We play a lot of really good competition and sometimes you can be too comfortable being home for that many days.
The road at times makes you uncomfortable, makes you hungry, and we have to have that same hunger at home.”
Lee highlighted their road success but cautioned against the comfort that can come with a long homestand. While they've secured big wins on the road, converting their home court into a true advantage is the next crucial step.
He also gave a nod to the fans, who have been instrumental in keeping the energy alive, with Spectrum Center witnessing multiple sellouts this season.
A Tough Road Ahead
The Hornets aimed to continue their road success on the west coast, hoping for three wins out of four games. They ended up splitting the series 2-2, holding onto the No. 10 seed and a precarious play-in position.
For Charlotte to have a shot at hosting a play-in game, their performance needs to improve. LaMelo Ball’s ongoing foul troubles and Brandon Miller’s shooting slump-hitting just 14 percent from the field on Saturday-are putting a damper on the earlier optimism as pressure builds.
The homestand kicks off on March 17 against the Miami Heat, who are looking for a season sweep after winning all three prior matchups. Next up is the Orlando Magic, currently on a seven-game winning streak, marking this stretch as one of the toughest of the season.
Winning these games could be pivotal, potentially boosting the Hornets to a higher seed and aligning their performance with the ambitions they’ve shown glimpses of all year. If there’s a moment to reignite their season, it’s now, before the opportunity slips away.