The Charlotte Hornets travel to the Delta Center to take on the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. Here’s a Jazz vs Hornets Prediction. This article will include a Jazz vs Hornets Pick.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets have been in decent form by their standards as they’ve won four of their last nine games overall. However, they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after falling just short to the ice-cold Pacers in a 114-112 loss on Thursday. LaMelo Ball led the team with 33 points and eight assists off the bench, Miles Bridges added 19 points with six rebounds and four assists while Kon Knueppel chipped in with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists. As a team, the Hornets shot 45 percent from the field and 16 of 44 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the Pacers. They looked to be in control as they led by three points heading into the final minute of the game. Before the Pacers scored the last five points to snatch the game away at the death.
Utah Jazz Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in a major slump as they’ve lost nine of their last 12 games overall. But they will be feeling much better after they arrested a five-game losing streak with a 116-114 win over the Mavericks on Thursday. Lauri Markkanen led the team with 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Keyonte George added 19 points with seven assists on eight of 12 shooting while Brice Sensebaugh chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Jazz shot 49 percent from the field and 13 of 41 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 34 points in the first quarter to jump out to an early 14-point lead. They allowed the Mavericks back into the contest and trailed by seven points late in the fourth quarter, before they responded with a crucial 12-0 run to escape with the unlikely win at home.
Why the Utah Jazz will win
- The Jazz have won each of their last 10 Saturday night games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.
- The Hornets have lost each of their last eight road games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites following a home loss.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Hornets’ last six games.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Jazz have lost each of their last 14 home games following a home win.
- The Hornets have won each of their last 14 games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Hornets have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games as road favorites against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Jazz’s last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Hornets’ last six games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Utah Jazz Player Facts
- Isaiah Collier ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (10.3) this season.
- Keyonte George ranks 7th amongst qualified players for FT% (90.1%) this season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- LaMelo Ball ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (10.2) this season.
- Kon Knueppel ranks 2nd in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (88.6%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (126.7).
- The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (30.1).
- The Hornets rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.9).
- The Hornets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (16.8).
Jazz vs Hornets Prediction
The Hornets are still missing Mason Plumlee, but they expect to have Grant Williams back, while the Jazz have ruled out Ace Bailey, Georges Niang and Lauri Markkanen for this one. The Hornets have found a bit of form lately as they’ve picked up some nice wins, most notably a big upset win over the Thunder so it’s not surprising to see them open as favorites in this one. The Jazz are more than capable of pulling off the upset at home where they get so much energy from their crowd, but they have decided to rest Markkanen, which opens the door for the Hornets in this one.