Nets vs. Hornets prediction: Brooklyn's newfound culture will show in preseason

Ahead of the regular season tipping off Oct. 20, the Nets and Hornets open preseason this week, with Brooklyn starting in Charlotte tonight after the Knicks opened Monday in Philadelphia. The teams also meet Oct. 21 in the official season opener. Coach Jordi Fernandez is expected to rotate heavily with Brooklyn’s youngest roster, giving players a chance for full-speed competition under game conditions. Charlotte has already ruled out multiple players. The Nets enter the stretch after reshaping their roster by parting with LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, and leaning on Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, who is uncertain due to a left hamstring injury. Brooklyn’s Julius Randle is set for his Nets debut. The article projects Nets +3.5 as the best bet.