The Charlotte Hornets (3-5) wrap up a four-game road trip with a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off against the New Orleans Pelicans (4-4) at the Smoothie King Center. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Pelicans NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Charlotte snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Atlanta Hawks 102-94 as 6-point road underdogs Wednesday. Hornets newly acquired SF Gordon Hayward had his best game in his early Charlotte tenure, scoring 44 points 15-for-25 shooting with 7 assists.
The Pelicans have lost back-to-back games entering Friday’s contest, both by a single bucket, including a 111-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Jan. 6. New Orleans was a little lazy, getting outscored 27-8 in fast-break points and were terrible from deep, making 4 of 22 threes.
These teams only met once last year—a 115-110 New Orleans victory—and it was way back on Nov. 9, 2019. It’s hard to put any stock into prior head-to-head meetings as both have had a lot of roster turnover.
Hornets at Pelicans: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Pelicans -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +6.5 (-120) | Pelicans -6.5 (-100)
- Over/Under: 217.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Hornets at Pelicans: Key Injuries
Hornets
- C Cody Zeller (hand) out
Pelicans
- SG J.J. Redick (knee) questionable
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Hornets at Pelicans: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hornets 108, Pelicans 104
Money line (ML)
Since I like Charlotte plus the points, I lean HORNETS (+190) for a quarter-unit even though they could be a little tired from four straight games on the road. If it’s one or the other, I’d definitely say take the points with Charlotte.
Against the spread (ATS)
This is as much a bet against the Pelicans as it is a bet on the Hornets, but New Orleans is just laying too many points here. Charlotte has played tougher competition to start the season: The Hornets have played the fourth-toughest schedule and the Pelicans the 16th-toughest (according to Basketball-Reference.com).
Also, Pelicans SG J.J. Redick only played eight minutes against the Thunder after exiting with a bruised knee, and his pending Friday status is important for New Orleans. Outside of Brandon Ingram, no one on the Pelicans is a good shooter, and even Redick is just 24.3% from deep this season. Charlotte has the 13th-best defensive rating in NBA and is fifth in opponent’s 3-point percentage.
These lineups match up very well against one another, and most NBA junkies think Hayward vs. Ingram is a near draw. Plus the Hornets have more depth, especially if Redick is out, and Charlotte’s bench is outscoring New Orleans’ 35.0-24.9 in points per game. In fact, the Pelicans have the lowest-scoring bench in the NBA.
GIMME HORNETS +6.5 (-120) for 1.75 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
Hornets-Pelicans have a combined 5-11 O/U record to start the year, and I think there’s value in fading this New Orleans offense occupied with intriguing talent but only has the 22nd-highest offensive rating. I lean UNDER 217.5 (-105) for a half-unit.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- Lonzo, LaMelo Ball prime for first NBA matchup: ‘It’s going to be a lot of fun’ (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Hornets | Pelicans
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