Charlotte Hornets at Utah Jazz odds, picks and predictions

Corey Scott | Staff Writer

The Charlotte Hornets (13-41) and Utah Jazz (26-30) return to action after the All-Star break on Thursday. Tip-off from Delta Center is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Hornets vs. Jazz odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Jazz lead 1-0

The Hornets entered the All-Star break on a 3-game winning streak. Their most recent victory was a cover as 7-point home underdogs in a 122-99 win over the Atlanta Hawks Feb. 14 as the Under (238.5) hit.

The Jazz are on a 4-game straight-up (SU) and against-the-spread (ATS) skid. They failed to cover as 2.5-point home underdogs in a 140-137 loss vs. the Golden State Warriors last Thursday as the Over (241.5) cashed.

In a Jan. 27 meeting, the Jazz covered as 10-point favorites with a 134-122 win at the Hornets; the Over (231.5) hit.

Hornets at Jazz odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:43 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Hornets +370 (bet $100 to win $370) | Jazz -480 (bet $480 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Hornets +10 (-110) | Jazz -10 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 230 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Hornets at Jazz key injuries

Hornets

G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out

Jazz

None

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Hornets at Jazz picks and predictions

Prediction

Jazz 120, Hornets 112

Moneyline

The Jazz (-480) should be focused enough coming out of the break to not lose SU as a 10-point favorite. However, this line is too high considering the Hornets are trending upward.

PASS. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

The Hornets are last in defensive efficiency on the season but are 4th in the league over the last 3 games. While they're still missing their best player in Ball, F Brandon Miller and F Miles Bridges are averaging 23.5 and 23.4 points per game, respectively, in February -- just enough to keep Charlotte competitive ATS.

We don't want to bet the Jazz in this spot because we'd have to pay a premium on them. The assumption in the marketplace is that they should bounce back at home after the break vs. a lower-rated opponent, but this is too many points for them to lay.

BET HORNETS +10 (-110).

Over/Under

The Over has hit in 4 of Utah's last 5 games, and the Jazz have allowed 129 or more points in 4 straight. Utah doesn't seem interested in playing defense and its main concern seems to be getting up as many shots as possible; it's 2nd in field goals attempted per home game at 91.9.

The Hornets have been improving defensively, but their young roster should fall into Utah's trap of playing a fast-paced back-and-forth game.

BET OVER 230 (-110).

Get ready, North Carolina!

Online sports betting begins March 11

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