The Charlotte Hornets (5-4) play the second game of a five-game road trip when they face the Sacramento Kings (4-4) Friday. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Golden 1 Center. Below, we look at the Hornets vs. Kings odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hornets lost their last two games, including a 114-92 defeat at the Golden State Warriors. F Miles Bridges scored 32 points with 9 rebounds, while F Gordan Hayward added 23 points and 11 boards.
The Kings opened a four-game homestand Wednesday with a 112-99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans to mark their first home win of the season. F Harrison Barnes has started the season very well with an average of 23.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while four other players are averaging more than 10 points per game.
Hornets at Kings odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:48 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Kings -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets +1.5 (-112) | Kings -1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Hornets at Kings key injuries
Hornets
- G LaMelo Ball (hip) probable
- F P.J. Washington (elbow) doubtful
Kings
- None
Hornets at Kings odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Kings 120, Hornets 115
Money line
This should be a competitive game. The Hornets lead the league in scoring at 114.7 points per game and are 1-0 against the Western Conference, but have lost four of their last six games after starting the season 3-0.
The Kings are 1-2 at home so far this season. Two of their four victories came over the one-win Pelicans.
Both teams have wins over the Portland Trail Blazers.
I lean toward the home team. Take the KINGS (-120).
Against the spread
This is only the third game this season the Kings have been favored. They won and covered both previous games, both against the Pelicans. Sacramento is 5-3 ATS.
The Hornets have covered the spread in their five wins and failed to do so in all four of their losses. They are 3-3 ATS as underdogs.
Since there is only a 1.5-point spread, I am going to lean toward the home team. The Kings have been playing just a little bit better more recently than the Hornets.
Take the KINGS -1.5 (-108).
Over/Under
As the Hornets are the league’s top-scoring team and six of their nine games went Over. The kings are 3-5 O/U.
Hornets games average a total of 229.6 points per game. The Kings have scored 110 points or more five times this season, and the Hornets hit that mark in seven of nine games.
I expect a lot of points Friday. Take OVER 226.5 (-115).
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