The Charlotte Hornets (10-13) host the Washington Wizards (5-14) on Super Bowl Sunday at Spectrum Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Wizards-Hornets NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Washington’s 103-100 win Wednesday over the Miami Heat—which Miami avenged with a 122-95 win Friday night—and a miraculous last-second victory against the Brooklyn Nets are the Wizards’ only two wins in their last eight games. Issues with COVID-19 are part of the reason for Washington’s struggles, the other part is its atrocious defense.
The Hornets lost the first two of a four-game homestand to a couple of the best teams in the league—Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. Those losses came on the heels of a three-game winning streak for the Hornets; they are 4-4 straight up and 4-3-1 against the spread in their last eight games.
The Wizards won and covered in two of three games against the Hornets last season. Currently, these teams are on different trajectories as Charlotte looks to be a contender in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament while Washington head coach Scott Brooks is on the hot seat and SG Bradley Beal is always brought up in trade rumors.
Wizards at Hornets: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Wizards -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Hornets +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Wizards -1.5 (-110) | Hornets +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 237.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Wizards at Hornets: Key injuries
Wizards
- Nothing affecting the betting odds.
Hornets
- PG Devonte’ Graham (groin) out
- PF P.J. Washington (foot) questionable
Special NBA Betting Promotion!
Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Wizards at Hornets: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hornets 121, Wizards 114
Money line (ML)
Believe it or not, Charlotte is one of the best close-game teams in the league as the Hornets have a 7-5 record in clutch situations and has by far the highest net clutch rating. “Clutch” situations in the NBA are defined as the last five minutes of the game and the point differential being within five points.
The Wizards are on the other side of the spectrum in clutch net rating (second-to-last) and have a 3-8 record in clutch situations. Since BetMGM projects Wizards-Hornets to be a coin-flip game with a single-possession margin, how can we not take the better clutch team?
TAKE THE HORNETS (+100) for 1.25 units.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on the spread unless Charlotte is spotted 2.5 or more points.
Over/Under (O/U)
Saying Washington has an “atrocious defense” before might’ve been understating it. The Wizards give up the most points per game, have the second-worst defensive efficiency, have the worst defensive effective field-goal percentage and send opponents to the charity stripe at the second-highest rate in the NBA.
Don’t get me wrong, Charlotte’s defense isn’t a heck of a lot better and the Over has cashed in four straight Hornets games. If I had to pick a side, I lean Over 237.5 (-110) but my buy-price for this total is Over 229.5 so I’ll PASS ON THE TOTAL.
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:
- LaMelo Ball dominates fourth quarter, but Hornets fall to league-leading Jazz (Lonzo Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Wizards | Hornets
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]