The New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets meet Friday in NBA action at the Spectrum Center. The New Orleans Pelicans look for a quick 2-0 start. The Charlotte Hornets also look to remain undefeated.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 130 points on 49 percent shooting and allowing 108 points on 44.9 percent shooting. Brandon Ingram is averaging 28 points and 7 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 25 points and 9 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 9 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 46.2 percent from beyond the arc and 72 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 30.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 61 rebounds per game.
The Charlotte Hornets are averaging 129 points on 51.1 percent shooting and allowing 102 points on 40.4 percent shooting. Terry Rozier is averaging 24 points and 6 rebounds, while Gordon Hayward is averaging 20 points and 5 rebounds. Nick Richards is the third double-digit scorer and P.J. Washington is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Charlotte Hornets are shooting 44.8 percent from beyond the arc and 87 percent from the free throw line. The Charlotte Hornets are allowing 20.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 51 rebounds per game.
The Pelicans are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 road games and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 Friday games. The Hornets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Friday games and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The over is 5-1 in Pelicans last 6 overall. The over is 5-2 in Hornets last 7 overall. The Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Charlotte and 23-11-1 ATS in the last 35 meetings.
The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off an impressive win over the Nets, and they look good with the addition of Williamson. The Charlotte Hornets had success offensively in their season opener, but I do question how long that continues without their point guard in LaMelo Ball. I have a hard time getting behind the Hornets against respectable teams without their best player. Give me the Pelicans and the reasonable number.