Charlotte Hornets (13-41) vs. Utah Jazz (26-30)
February 22, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Utah Jazz -9.5; Over/Under: +231.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Charlotte Hornets invade the Delta Center to do battle with the Utah Jazz on Thursday night. Here’s a Hornets vs Jazz Prediction.
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have struggled for most of the season, but they made some trade moves and actually went into the break with a bit of momentum after blowing past the Hawks by 122-99 for their third straight win. Brandon Miller led the team with 26 points, six rebounds and four assists, Tre Mann added 21 points with eight rebounds and six assists while Miles Bridges chipped in with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Hornets shot 49 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line as they exploded for 35 points in the third quarter to open up a double digit lead, before they played great defense to hold the Hawks to just 19 points in the fourth quarter to make it a blowout.
Utah Jazz
Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in a real slump as they’ve lost seven of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping to put an end to a four-game slide after getting beaten by the Warriors in a 140-137 loss on Thursday. Collin Sexton led the team with 35 points and nine assists, Keyonte George added 33 points with six assists, Lauri Markkanen scored 20 points with 14 rebounds and three assists while John Collins chipped in with 18 points and 13 rebounds. As a team, the Jazz shot 46 percent from the field and 22 of 49 from the 3-point line as they showed plenty of fight to cut a 20-point deficit to just one point with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter, before the Warriors escaped on free throws in a close finish. The Jazz will take on the Spurs after this one.
Utah Jazz Team Facts
- The Jazz have won each of their last 16 home games against the Hornets.
- The Jazz have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.
- Each of the Jazz’s last eight games as home favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
Charlotte Hornets Team Facts
- The Hornets have lost each of their last 16 games at Delta Center.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against the Jazz after winning as underdogs.
- Each of the Hornets’ last eight games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Hornets vs Jazz Prediction
The Hornets are coming into this game with a bit of momentum surprisingly, and they will like their chances against a struggling Jazz squad who have won just two of their last nine games. I still think that the Jazz get the much-needed win at home, but I don’t see how they should be favored by so many points the way they’ve been struggling lately. Give me the Hornets with the points in a game they could win outright.
