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Hornets' Roy Hibbert: Looks in line to start season opener

Hibbert tallied eight points (2-7 FG, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals across 23 minutes in Thursday's 96-88 preseason win over the Heat.

Analysis:

Hibbert was expected to battle Cody Zeller for the starting center job throughout the preseason, but it's been a one-sided affair heading into Friday's exhibition finale against the Hornets, as Zeller has yet to return to game action while spending most of training camp recovering from a bone bruise on his right knee. Zeller's absence isn't expected to linger on for much longer, but given the extensive time that he's already missed, it seems rather doubtful that he'll be back to full strength for the start of the regular season, putting Hibbert in good position to open his Hornets career as a starter. That may be enough reason to make Hibbert a roster-worthy player in deeper formats, but after averaging just 5.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 23.2 minutes in a full-time starting role with the Lakers last season, the 29-year-old's upside is limited.

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