The Philadelphia 76ers (46-22) battle the Charlotte Hornets (22-49) Friday. Tip from Spectrum Center is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the 76ers at Hornets odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The 76ers and Hornets have played twice, with both teams winning and covering the spread at home. The total is 1-1 O/U as well.
Philadelphia beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-109 Wednesday, covering as a 2.5-point road favorite. The 76ers have won 6 games in a row and have covered 4 of them. Led by C Joel Embiid, who is averaging 33.5 points per game, the 76ers are 40-28 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
Charlotte has dropped 3 games in a row, most recently losing 120-104 to the Cavaliers Tuesday and failing to cover as a 5.5-point home underdog. The Hornets are 3-2 ATS over their last 5 games and 31-37-3 ATS on the season.
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76ers at Hornets odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:52 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): 76ers -475 (bet $475 to win $100) | Hornets +380 (bet $100 to win $380)
- Against the spread (ATS): 76ers -10.5 (-105) | Hornets +10.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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76ers at Hornets key injuries
76ers
- F Jalen McDaniels (hip) questionable
Hornets
- G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out
- C Mark Williams (thumb) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
76ers at Hornets picks and predictions
Prediction
76ers 118, Hornets 109
Moneyline
AVOID.
The 76ers (-475) are the far better team here, but risking nearly 5 times your potential return on a road favorite in the NBA is never a wise play.
Against the spread
LEAN HORNETS +10.5 (-115).
It is not easy to cover this size of a spread on the road. Philadelphia is also just 5-5 ATS over its last 10 games.
The Hornets are 3-2 ATS over their last 5 games and are 2-0 ATS in their last 2 games as a double-digit underdog. Despite the absence of Ball, they still have capable scorers like G Terry Rozier, who is averaging 21.5 points per game.
Charlotte has only lost 1 of its last 3 home games by double digits and it should be able to keep this somewhat close. Back HORNETS +10.5 (-115) for a partial-unit play.
Over/Under
BET OVER 225.5 (-115).
The Hornets have cashed the Over in 3 straight games, mainly because of their defense, which has allowed at least 114 points in each battle. Against an efficient (albeit slow) offense in Philadelphia, that could spell trouble.
The 76ers rank 8th in field-goal percentage (48.5%) and 1st in 3-point field-goal percentage (39%). They have gone Over in 5 of their last 7 and should be able to get going offensively against a poor defense.
Back the OVER 226.5 (-115).
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