Key Matchup vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Cody Zeller vs. Joel Embiid
By Sam Perley, hornets.com
The Charlotte Hornets will look to snap a three-game skid as they head north to take on the 76ers on Friday night in Philadelphia. After missing four of Charlotte’s last five games because of a concussion and illness, fourth-year center Cody Zeller is expected to be back in the Hornets starting rotation. The former Indiana Hoosier is averaging 10.9 points on 60.0 percent shooting, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks over his last 15 appearances for the Hornets.
Zeller will be tasked with guarding the NBA Rookie of the Year favorite in Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid, who missed his first two seasons out of college because of multiple foot surgeries. A native of Cameroon, the seven-foot Embiid is leading the 76ers in scoring (19.4 points), rebounding (7.5) and blocks (2.3) this season, the latter of which is the fourth-best mark in the NBA.
Having won four of their last five games, Embiid and the resurgent 76ers will undoubtedly present the Charlotte Hornets with quite a challenge when these teams meet for the second time this season on Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
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