Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle | Staff Writer

The Charlotte Hornets (7-19) welcome the Denver Nuggets (20-10) to Spectrum Center Saturday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Nuggets vs. Hornets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: First meeting; Denver won 2-0 last season

The Hornets have lost 6 games in a row and are coming off a 144-113 defeat at the Indiana Pacers Wednesday, failing to cover as 10.5-point underdogs. They have been double-digit 'dogs in 3 straight games and failed to cover in all 3. Charlotte is 10-16 against the spread (ATS) this season. It is led by G LaMelo Ball, who is averaging 24.7 points per game.

The Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets 122-117 Friday and covered as 4.5-point road favorites. They are 3-1 ATS over their last 4 and 6-1 ATS over their last 7. Denver is 14-16 ATS on the season. The Nuggets are led by C Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 26.5 points and 12.4 rebounds per game this season.

Nuggets at Hornets odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:45 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Nuggets -360 (bet $360 to win $100) | Hornets +290 (bet $100 to win $290)
Against the spread (ATS): Nuggets -8.5 (-112) | Hornets +8.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 227 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Nuggets at Hornets key injuries

Nuggets

Not yet submitted

Hornets

G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out
C Mark Williams (back) doubtful

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Nuggets at Hornets picks and predictions

Prediction

Nuggets 116, Hornets 108

Moneyline

PASS.

The Nuggets (-360) are the far better team, but they have had their fair share of struggles, making this an outrageous price to take on the 2nd night of a road back-to-back. Avoid the Hornets, who have lost 6 in a row.

Against the spread

LEAN HORNETS +8.5 (-108).

The Hornets haven't covered well as of late, but they are 3-1 ATS over their last 4 home games. In those covers, they have either won straight up or lost by 5 or fewer points.

While Ball and Williams are out, the Hornets have an ample amount of athletic, high-ceiling offensive weapons like F Miles Bridges. They will also be the more rested side as Denver played in Brooklyn Friday.

The Nuggets are 6-6 ATS in their last 12 road games and 3-3 ATS on the 2nd night of a back-to-back this season. Denver should also be a strong public favorite as this is an attractive spread that feels like it should be higher. Take the more rested side as a home underdog.

Back HORNETS +8.5 (-108).

Over/Under

BET UNDER 227 (-110).

The Hornets may be 15-11 O/U on the season, but they have scored fewer than 100 points in 2 of their last 3 and are 1-4 O/U in their last 5 games. Charlotte is 0-2 O/U in its last 2 home games. Without Ball or Williams, it will lack some size in the paint for easy putbacks. While the options may be there, it will be without its leading scorer as well.

Denver may have tired legs after a fast-paced game in Brooklyn. It has gone Under in 4 of its last 5 and is 11-18-1 O/U on the season. The Nuggets rank 28th in pace and may look to slow the tempo even further in this battle. Take UNDER 227 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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