The New Orleans Pelicans (30-41) play the second of a back-to-back Monday against the Charlotte Hornets (36-35) at the Spectrum Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Pelicans vs. Hornets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
NOLA has won 3 of its last 4 games — 3-1 against the spread (ATS) — including back-to-back road upsets at the San Antonio Spurs Friday (124-91) and the Atlanta Hawks Sunday (117-112).
Charlotte is on a 4-game winning streak (4-0 ATS) with victories over the Pelicans March 11 (142-120), the Oklahoma City Thunder last Monday (134-116), the Hawks Wednesday (116-106) and the Dallas Mavericks Saturday (129-108).
The Hornets clobbered the Pelicans earlier this month in Charlotte but NOLA was without its top-two scorers in C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram.
Pelicans at Hornets 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 12:08 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Pelicans +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Hornets -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Pelicans +5.5 (-107) | Hornets -5.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
Pelicans at Hornets key injuries
Pelicans
- PG Devonte’ Graham (hip) questionable
- SF Brandon Ingram (hamstring) questionable
Hornets
- None
[tipico]
Pelicans at Hornets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 119, Hornets 115
Money line
SPRINKLE on the PELICANS (+190) because I like NOLA getting the points in this spot and this would be a juicy ticket to have in your account if Ingram can return to action Monday.
However, the Pelicans have two strength-on-weakness edges they can exploit on the glass and in transition.
Both teams get out in transition at a top-10 rate, but NOLA has a lot better offensive efficiency in the fastbreak and the Pelicans have the best defensive efficiency in the fastbreak.
Furthermore, NOLA has the fourth-highest offensive rebounding rate and scores the fifth-most second-chance points per game (PPG). Charlotte has the third-worst defensive rebounding rate and allows the most second-chance PPG.
I’m only SPRINKLING on the PELICANS (+190) since NOLA plus the points is the sharper play.
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Against the spread
Definitely BET the PELICANS +5.5 (-107) heavier than or instead of their ML because the Hornets -5.5 (-115) feels like a trap line considering Charlotte’s 22-point beatdown of NOLA just 10 days ago.
Given Ingram and Graham’s “questionable” game statuses, the Hornets should be at least a 7-point favorite. Seeing Charlotte at the price makes me think there’s a decent chance Ingram is back in the lineup for NOLA.
Another reason this price feels off is because of how terribly the Pelicans perform on zero rest days (2-10 SU and 5-7ATS) and how profitable the Hornets are with a rest advantage (10-6 SU and 10-5-1 ATS).
Also, this is just a better spot for the Pelicans who are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as road underdogs and 5-0 ATS in their last five visits to Charlotte. While the Hornets are 6-7 ATS at home versus teams with a losing record and 2-4 ATS as 5-to-7-point favorites.
The PELICANS PLUS THE POINTS is my favorite wager in this game.
Over/Under
PASS because my prediction aligns with the projected total hence there’s no value for me in this number. For what it’s worth, NOLA is 30-41 O/U (13-22 O/U on the road) and Charlotte is 35-35-1 O/U (16-18-1 O/U).
If anything, I’d play the Under despite what my score says since the previous Pelicans-Hornets went Over the total by 36 points and the total has been lowered from the opener after being hit by sharp money.
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