The Charlotte Hornets (15-26), 8-point underdogs, will travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to square off against the Phoenix Suns (15-23). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 219.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports – Arizona at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 12, 2020.
Charlotte Hornets at Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last game. The Suns (4.5-point favorites) defeated the Orlando Magic, 98-94, while the Hornets (12.5-point underdogs) fell to the Utah Jazz, 109-92. The Phoenix game went 25 points under the projected point total of 217, while the Charlotte game went 8.5 points under the projected point total of 209.5.
The Suns made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and held the Magic to an effective field goal percentage of 0.421 (below their season average of 0.492). Charlotte, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (14-19; 73.7 percent). Phoenix received a boost from Ricky Rubio, who had 11 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Terry Rozier had a good game for Charlotte, finishing with 23 points and five rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Dario Saric led the Suns to a 109-104 win. He recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The two teams combined to score 213 points, which was under the projected point total of 222, and Phoenix covered as a 4-point favorite. The Suns’ 6.5 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Hornets, who had a rate of 16.6.
Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Hornets games, with 22 overs compared to 19 unders. Charlotte heads into the contest with records of 15-26 straight up (SU) and 19-20-2 against the spread (ATS).
Of the Suns’ 38 games, 21 have finished over the total. Moreover, Phoenix owns records of 15-23 SU and 20-17-1 ATS.
The Hornets’ Rozier has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 25 points,5.0 assists per game. Meanwhile, Devin Booker has averaged 35 points,6.8 assists during that same time frame for the Suns.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of Charlotte. Charlotte ranks 24th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 14.5 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Phoenix forces the third-most turnovers in the NBA (14.9 percent).
Charlotte Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Hornets are third in the NBA with 11.8 fast break points allowed per game while the Suns are fourth with 12.1 fast break points allowed per game.
- Phoenix averages 27.9 assists per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Charlotte ranks last in assists allowed per game (27.2).
- The Suns rank 13th in steals per game (7.7) while the Hornets rank 25th in steals allowed per game (8.2).
- Phoenix averages 48.1 points in the paint per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 26th in points allowed in the paint per game (51.4).
- Charlotte ranks 25th in blocks per game (4.3) while Phoenix ranks 28th (3.7).
- The Suns rank sixth in three pointers allowed per game (32.1) while the Hornets rank 25th (35.1).
- The Hornets rank 19th in second chance points per game (12.9) while the Suns rank 25th (12.1).
- Phoenix ranks third in points off turnovers per game (18.6) while Charlotte ranks 20th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
- Charlotte is 3-0 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Phoenix is 3-2.
- The Suns are 14-19 when they reach the century mark, while the Hornets are 13-15.
- Phoenix is 10-11-1 ATS at home, while Charlotte is 11-10 ATS on the road.
- In 21 road games, the Hornets have 13 overs and 8 unders.
- The Suns have 14 overs and 8 unders in 22 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Hornets are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Suns are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Charlotte has 4 overs and 1 under, while Phoenix has 4 unders and 1 over.
- During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 107.6 points per game (3.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 112.4 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
- The Suns’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.2, up from 1.1 for the season.
