The Denver Nuggets play host to the Charlotte Hornets at the Ball Arena on Sunday night. Here’s a Nuggets vs Hornets Prediction. This article will include a Nuggets vs Hornets Pick.
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
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been in great shape as they’ve reeled off six wins from their past seven games and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory after sneaking past the Wizards in a 121-115 win last night. Jamal Murray continued his sensational form with 42 points and six assists on 15 of 28 shooting, Tim Hardaway Jr provided the spark off the bench with 30 points on 10 of 18 shooting while Peyton Watson chipped in with 21 points on eight of 14 shooting. As a team, the Nuggets shot 53 percent from the field and 14 of 35 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 36 points in the first quarter. However, this was a close contest until the fourth quarter where the Nuggets went on a crucial 20-9 run to pull ahead and escape with the narrow win at home.
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).
Nuggets vs Hornets Prediction
The Hornets are still missing Mason Plumlee and Moussa Diabate, while the Nuggets have ruled out Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Nikola Jokci and Christian Braun. The Hornets have been good enough to surprise a few teams lately, but they are coming into this one fresh off a bad loss to the Warriors where their defense left a lot to be desired. The Nuggets come into this meeting as one of the hottest teams in the league despite their injuries but just like the Hornets, the Nuggets are playing their second game of a back to back set. The Hornets can pull off the upset if players like Miller and Ball can go off, but the Nuggets are playing great basketball lately. I think they get the win and cover behind another big game from Murray who has been on fire lately.