The Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Barclays Center. Here’s a Nets vs Hornets Prediction. This article will include a Nets vs Hornets Pick.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Hornets haven’t made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season and enter year three under coach Charles Lee. The Hornets did win 44 games last season, which is actually one of their most successful seasons in franchise history.
The Hornets made a splash by getting rid of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges while bringing in Naz Reid. There were also solid depth pieces added in Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and Dennis Schroder. It’s clear the Hornets are building around Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller and gave up on their flashy point guard. If you throw in a healthy season from Grant Williams, the Hornets are deeper than they’ve been in years. I do question the Hornets shaking things up so much after what was a successful season. Still, they made a stand, and it will be interesting to see how things play out.
Brooklyn Nets Betting Preview
The Nets won 20 games last season and enter year three under coach Jordi Fernandez. The Nets haven’t made the playoffs since the 2022-23 season.
The main additions for the Nets come by trading for Julius Randle and drafting Mikel Brown. A full season of Michael Porter Jr. would help this group, but honestly the Nets are the rare team in the league that smells like it’s another tanking year. There’s just not enough talent to go around, and this franchise seems to lack direction. There will be less tanking in the league due to the draft odds changes, but the Nets have their work cut out for them this season.
Why the Brooklyn Nets will win
- The Hornets have lost each of their seven previous road openers against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The favorites have won 18 of the Nets’ last 19 games.
- The Nets have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Nets have lost each of their last 10 season openers against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hornets have won each of their last four season openers as underdogs.
- The Hornets have covered the spread in seven of their last eight season openers.
- The Nets have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six night games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Hornets’ last 15 games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Nets’ last eight night games at Barclays Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
Brooklyn Nets Player Facts
- Michael Porter Jr. ranked 4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per game (3.4) last season.
- Julius Randle ranked 3rd amongst qualified Centers for points per game (21.1) last season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- Naz Reid ranked 2nd amongst qualified Centers for three-pointers made per game (2.1) last season.
- Brandon Miller ranked 2nd amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (89.2%) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nets ranked 30th in the league for points per game last season (105.9).
- The Nets ranked 30th in the league for rebounds per game last season (39.3).
- The Hornets ranked 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game last season (39.3).
- The Hornets ranked 1st in the league for three-point field goals made per game last season (16.4).
Nets vs Hornets Injury Report
The Nets will be without Tyler Bilodeau due to a shoulder sprain.
The Hornets will be without Kylan Boswell, Kon Knueppel, Coby White, and Grant Williams.
Nets vs Hornets Prediction
The Hornets are underdogs because they’ll be without three rotation players: Knueppel, White, and Williams. I’m still not laying points with the Nets, who are easily the worst team in the East and probably the only team without any sort of real direction. Damn near every team in the league has something to look forward to or will be trying to compete. There’s just nothing that gets you excited about the Nets. Even undermanned, I’ll grab the bucket with the Hornets, as I’m not laying points with the Nets. I’m sorry.