The Charlotte Hornets (9-11) visit the Miami Heat (7-12) Monday for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off at American Airlines Arena. Below, we analyze the Hornets-Heat NBA odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Charlotte won and covered the spread in back-to-back games against the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks entering Monday. The Hornets’ two-game win streak was preceded by two straight losses and Charlotte is 3-3 straight up and 3-3 against the spread in its last six contests.
The Heat snapped a five-game losing skid with a 105-104 win over the Sacramento Kings Saturday. It was the healthiest game for Miami in a long time as the Heat have been dealing with a myriad of injury and COVID-19-related absences.
These teams split the 2019-20 regular-season series but the Hornets won the final meeting of the season 109-98 as 10.5-point underdogs.
Hornets at Heat: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:55 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +200 (bet $100 to win $200 | Heat -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hornets +6.5 (-110) | Heat -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 217.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hornets at Heat: Key injuries
Hornets
- PG Terry Rozier (ankle) questionable
Heat
- SF Andre Iguodala (neck) probable
- SG Avery Bradley (knee) questionable
- PG Goran Dragic (groin) questionable
- SG Tyler Herro (health and safety protocols) questionable
- C Meyers Leonard (shoulder) questionable
- C Maurice Harkless (thigh) out
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Hornets at Heat: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hornets 112, Heat 106
Money line (ML)
This line and the market action (more on that in a second) is confusing. The Hornets’ last two wins were very impressive and this team has the potential to contend for the playoffs if they can stop turning the ball over and do a better job of cleaning up the glass.
These are also areas of weakness for the Heat. Miami is second-to-last in turnover percentage and last in offensive rebounding percentage. While everyone expects the Heat to get right eventually, they struggled in these areas last season, too.
Given how good Charlotte has looked in the last two games and Miami needing time to find its groove, I lean HORNETS (+200) for a one-fifth-unit.
Against the spread (ATS)
First, the market is all over the Heat here, steaming this line up from Miami favored by 4 points on the opener to the current price. According to Pregame.com, more than 70% of the money is on the Heat. It’s tough to not fade that one-sided action.
Also, Hornets SF Gordon Hayward has played well in his last two games (one for Charlotte and one for the Boston Celtics) vs. Heat SF Jimmy Butler, scoring 27.5 points per game on better than 70% shooting. Butler outplayed Hayward in last season’s playoffs but as we’re finding out this season, Boston was never a fit for Hayward.
Since I lean toward Charlotte stealing one here, I like HORNETS +6.5 (-110) for 1 unit.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS with a lean on Over 217.5 (-110) because it’s more of a hunch than anything. Miami allows opponents to shoot the second-most threes per game and Charlotte’s opponents shoot the third-most so I’m expecting a 3-point chuck-off. If you know that going in, how eager are you to bet an Under?
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.
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Also see:
- Hornets’ LaMelo Ball pours in career-high in win over Giannis, Bucks (Rookie Wire)
- Hoops Hype rumors: Hornets | Heat
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