The Atlanta Hawks and host Charlotte Hornets are finding out about roster depth in different ways this week and will be tested again when they meet Saturday night.
Charlotte was without top scorer LaMelo Ball on Friday night and will be again for at least the next two weeks due to a left calf strain.
Player availability will be critical again leading up to Saturday's game, but other players down the roster have played well in bigger roles.
"A lot of optimism from me in terms of potentially getting guys back, but also just optimism in this group," Hornets coach Charles Lee said. "We've shown that, no matter who is available on a night-to-night basis, we continue to play the right way."
Charlotte has lost four games in a row and six of its last seven.
The Hawks have won two in a row following a three-game skid. They turned in perhaps their best defensive effort of the season Friday.
Atlanta rode a big third quarter and 23 points from reserve De'Andr...
