The Charlotte Hornets (39-37) visit Madison Square Garden Wednesday to take on the New York Knicks (34-42). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Hornets vs. Knicks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hornets come into this game following a 113-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets as 3-point home underdogs Monday. However, they’ve still been relatively hot for bettors as they’ve covered six of their last nine games.
Charlotte this season is 41-33-2 against the spread (ATS). It is led by F Miles Bridges, who is averaging 20.1 points per game. The Hornets have won seven of their last nine contests.
New York is just 36-40 ATS this season, but it has won four straight games straight up (SU).
It’s still 4.5 games back of the tenth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are led in points, rebounds and assists by F Julius Randle. They’ve covered three of their last four games.
Hornets at Knicks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 8:24 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Knicks +105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets -1.5 (-120) | Knicks +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Hornets at Knicks key injuries
Hornets
- F Gordon Hayward (ankle) out
Knicks
- C Nerlens Noel (foot) out
- G Cam Reddish (shoulder) out
[tipico]
Hornets at Knicks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hornets 115, Knicks 108
PASS.
I like the Hornets here. The Knicks have oddly been better this season on the road where they’re 18-21 as compared to 16-21 at home. With Charlotte being the better side, I’d look to the points for value.
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Against the spread
BET CHARLOTTE -1.5 (-120).
The Hornets picked up the first two wins in the season series between these teams, but New York crushed Charlotte 121-106 March 23.
The trends point to Charlotte as well with the Hornets 6-3 ATS as a road favorite and the Knicks just 4-9 ATS as home underdog.
New York and Charlotte play drastically different styles of basketball with the Hornets fourth in pace and the Knicks 29th.
Lastly, the Knicks rank second in free throw attempt rate whereas the Hornets sit 12th in opponents’ free throw attempt rate. Charlotte’s ability to defend and not foul will be instrumental in what should be a Hornets cover.
Over/Under
PASS with a slight lean to the Under 225.5 (-115).
The Hornets have gone under the projected total in three straight while the Knicks are riding a two-game streak of the Under hitting. Also, the Under has been the outcome in two of the three times these teams have played this season.
Nonetheless, the most recent matchup went over and that style of play could again be on show at MSG as the Hornets will undoubtedly want to push the pace.
I’d pass and just play the Hornets on the spread.
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