Charlotte Hornets (15-27) vs. Denver Nuggets (28-13)
January 18, 2026 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Denver Nuggets -2.5; Over/Under: 230.5
(Get latest betting odds)
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets have been in decent form lately as they’ve split their last eight games, but they will be eager to bounce back in this one after getting humbled by the Warriors in a 136-116 road defeat last night. Brandon Miller led the team with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists on 11 of 19 shooting, Kon Knueppel added 24 points with 11 rebounds on nine of 14 shooting while Collin Sexton chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Hornets shot 46 percent from the field and 16 of 44 from the 3-point line, but they played almost defense from the start and allowed 39 points in the first quarter to fall behind by 10 points at halftime. Before they allowed another 43 points in the third quarter to get blown out on the road. Miles Bridges scored just nine points on four of 12 shooting while Sion James shot zero of five from the field to finish with just two points.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Hornets have lost each of their last 13 games against Nuggets teams that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight games against the Hornets.
- The home team has covered the spread in four of the last five games between the Hornets and Nuggets.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Nuggets.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Nuggets have lost four of their last five games as home favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hornets have won each of their last three games as underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Hornets has covered the spread in each of their last seven games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Hornets’ last eight road games against the Nuggets following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Nuggets’ last seven games as favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Jamal Murray has scored 30+ points in three consecutive appearances – longest active streak of any player in the league.
- Peyton Watson is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (122.5).
- The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.1).
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.7).
- The Hornets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (16.7).
