The Charlotte Hornets (19-26) will be at home in Spectrum Center when they challenge the New Orleans Pelicans (25-21). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 222.5 points with Charlotte set as a 1.5-point favorite. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, and it can be seen on Fox Sports – New Orleans.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets ATS Preview
The Pelicans beat the Chicago Bulls in their last outing, 132-128. With 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists, DeMarcus Cousins led the way for New Orleans with his first triple-double of the season. The Pelicans forced 24 turnovers and held the Bulls to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.0 (below their season average of 19.7).
The last time the Hornets played, they defeated the Sacramento Kings, 112-107. Charlotte received a boost from Dwight Howard, who contributed 14 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks. Charlotte dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.233 (above their season average of 0.229) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (above their season average of 22.7). For those same stats, Sacramento put up marks of 0.113 and 21.3, respectively.
New Orleans could struggle to create turnovers. Charlotte ranks third in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.6 percent), while New Orleans forces the 20th-most turnovers (13.7 percent). Also, the Pelicans, who rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.2 percent), will go head-to-head against the Hornets, who rank second in defensive rebounding percentage (81.2 percent).
Of New Orleans 46 games, 28 have finished over the projected point total, while 23 of Charlotte’s 45 games have finished under the projected point total. The Pelicans come into this game with considerably better straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 25-21 SU and 24-22 ATS, while the Hornets are 19-26 SU and 18-23-4 ATS.
Both teams have had a player trending in the right direction over their last five games. For the Pelicans, it’s been Jrue Holiday, who has averaged 25.6 points, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals, while the Hornets have gotten solid contributions from Howard (15.4 rebounds, 14.4 points, 2.6 blocks and 1.2 steals).
This is the first time these teams will battle this year, after the Pelicans won both games last season. In the most recent contest, New Orleans won 125-122. New Orleans was lights out from beyond the arc (14-34; 41.2 percent). Charlotte, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (17-20; 85.0 percent).
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
The Hornets rank fifth in fast break points allowed per game (9.8) while the Pelicans rank 26th (13.7).
New Orleans ranks second in points in the paint per game (50.3) while Charlotte ranks 17th (43.2).
Charlotte ranks second in points off turnovers allowed per game (13.8) while New Orleans ranks 22nd (17.9).
New Orleans ranks 12th in three pointers attempted per game (29.5) while Charlotte ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (30.0).
New Orleans is 14-10 ATS on the road, while Charlotte is 11-14-1 ATS at home.
The total has gone under in 14 of the Hornets 26 home games, while 12 of the Pelicans 24 road games have gone over.
In games where they allow under 100 points, Charlotte is 8-2 and New Orleans is 7-1.
When scoring above 100 points, the Pelicans are 23-14 and the Hornets are 18-11.
The Hornets rank second in rebounds per game (46.6) while the Pelicans rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (43.8).
New Orleans ranks second in assists per game (26.3) while Charlotte ranks 28th (20.8).
The Hornets rank second in steals allowed per game (6.6) while the Pelicans rank 27th (8.6).
The Pelicans rank fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Hornets rank 18th (5.1).
Charlotte ranks first in second chance points allowed per game (9.7) while New Orleans ranks 25th (13.5).
Betting Trends:
Charlotte is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
Over their last five games, New Orleans is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
The Hornets have outscored opponents by an average of 5.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Charlotte has scored an equal number of points as their opponents.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 115.0 points per game (3.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.4 points per game (0.5 above their season average).
