The Charlotte Hornets (40-37) meet the Philadelphia 76ers (46-30) for a matinèe Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Hornets vs. 76ers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Charlotte is 5-2 straight up (SU) and 4-3 against the spread (ATS) over the past two weeks with the latest being a 125-114 victory at the New York Knicks Wednesday.
Philly lost its third consecutive game Thursday after getting upset by the Pistons 102-94 in Detroit as 10-point road favorites. In the last 14 days, the Sixers are 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS.
The Sixers are 2-1 SU but 0-3 ATS versus the Hornets this season, and the total is 1-1-1 Over/Under (O/U).
Hornets at 76ers 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 at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Hornets +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | 76ers -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Hornets +5.5 (-112) | 76ers -5.5 (-108)
- Over/Under: 229.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Hornets at 76ers key injuries
Hornets
- SF Gordon Hayward (ankle) probable
76ers
- None
[tipico]
Hornets at 76ers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hornets 116, 76ers 112
Money line
SPRINKLE on the HORNETS (+175) because they have a strength-on-weakness edge over the 76ers (-220) in fast-break basketball and are trending in a better direction.
For instance, Charlotte is third in both fast-break frequency and fast-break points per game (PPG). While Philly’s defense has the third-WORST efficiency in transition and the third-WORST fast-break PPG allowed.
Furthermore, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers called out newly acquired SG James Harden‘s performance following Philly’s disappointing loss to Detroit Thursday, which indicates the stress and tension among the Sixers.
On top of that, Charlotte has been more efficient and profitable than Philly since Harden debuted with the Sixers Feb. 25.
The Hornets are fifth in adjusted net rating (plus-6.2) and fifth in ATS margin (plus-4.9), according to CleaningTheGlass.com over that span. While the Sixers are 11th in adjusted net rating (plus-3.2) and 18th in ATS margin (minus-0.8).
However, I’d only SPRINKLE on the HORNETS (+175), if at all, because Charlotte’s spread is the much sharper play.
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Against the spread
BET the HORNETS +5.5 (-112) heavier than or instead of their ML since Joel Embiid and Harden should propel the 76ers -5.5 (-105) to a victory, but Philly definitely won’t win by that margin.
Also, Charlotte is 3-0-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings with Philly, 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 games as road underdogs and 12-8-1 ATS on the road versus teams with a winning record. Whereas the Sixers are 11-17 ATS at home (minus-2.6 ATS margin) and 8-14-1 ATS at home versus winning teams.
The HORNETS PLUS THE POINTS is my favorite wager in this game.
Over/Under
PASS because this is a sharp total, and there isn’t a big enough difference between my prediction and the projected total.
That said, I “lean” Under 229.5 (-107) because the Hornets are 5-21 O/U in their last 26 games as road underdogs, and the Sixers are 0-5 O/U in their last 5 games as home favorites.
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