Boston | W 102–98 | | | | FleetCenter | 15–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 27, 1996 | Miami | L 86–101 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 15–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 28 | December 28, 1996 | @ Detroit | L 75–97 | | | | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 15–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | December 30, 1996 | @ Washington | W 101–92 | | | | US Airways Arena | 16–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 30 | January 2, 1997 | Dallas | W 107–97 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 17–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | January 4, 1997 | Washington | L 93–104 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 17–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 32 | January 6, 1997 | @ Golden State | W 109–101 | | | | San Jose Arena | 18–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 8, 1997 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 97–101 | | | | Great Western Forum | 18–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 34 | January 10, 1997 | @ Phoenix | L 90–102 | | | | America West Arena | 18–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 | January 12, 1997 | @ Sacramento | W 97–93 | | | | ARCO Arena | 19–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 36 | January 13, 1997 | @ Denver | W 102–100 (OT) | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 20–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 | January 15, 1997 | New Jersey | W 116–104 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 21–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 18, 1997 | @ New Jersey | W 102–92 | | | | Continental Airlines Arena | 22–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 20, 1997 | @ Atlanta | L 97–106 | | | | The Omni | 22–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 40 | January 21, 1997 | Houston | W 114–108 | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 23–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | January 24, 1997 | New York | W 113–104 (OT) | | | | Charlotte Coliseum | 24–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 42 | January 25, 1997 | @ Cleveland | L 73–106 | | | | Gund Arena | 24–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | January 28, 1997 | @