In an NBA game scheduled for Friday night at the Spectrum Center, the New Orleans Pelicans will travel to face the Charlotte Hornets. With that considered, now is a good time to look at our NBA oddsseries, which is presented below and includes a prediction and choice for the Pelicans-Hornets game.
The New Orleans Pelicans have already won their season opener against the Brooklyn Nets 130-108. This club experienced a lot of success, including having Zion Williamson return to health. There are many reasons to be optimistic about this club after a 36-46 record in the previous campaign.
Charlotte also won their first game of the year, defeating San Antonio by a score of 129-102. Despite having a 43-39 record and placing tenth in the Eastern Conference, Charlotte missed the playoffs last year. When LaMelo Bell recovers from his injury, this offensive may be deadly.
These NBA odds between the Pelicans and Hornets are provided by FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Pelicans-Hornets Odds
Pelicans of New Orleans: -6.5 (-110)
6.5 for Charlotte Hornets (-110)
Over: 228.5 (-110) (-110)
Under: 228.5 (-110)
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
The return of Zion Williamson presents difficulties for the rest of the league. Williamson played 30 minutes in his first game in more than a year, scoring 25 points, grabbing nine rebounds, dishing out three assists, and making four steals. The first game’s MVP was Brandon Ingram, who finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. In addition to scoring 21, CJ McCollum led the team with six assists. In 24 minutes of action, Trey Murphy scored sixteen points and grabbed nine rebounds.
With thirteen rebounds, including an amazing six offensive ones, Jonas Valanciunas topped the squad. 15 more points were contributed by Valanciunas. Off the bench, Larry Nance, Jr. contributed an astounding nine additional rebounds. In their triumph over Brooklyn, New Orleans collected 61 rebounds, including 21 offensive boards. The most impressive stat was that New Orleans shot 49 percent overall, including 46.2 percent from three-point range. Holding Brooklyn to just 108 points was another great defensive play by New Orleans.
Why The Hornets Could Cover The Spread
LaMelo Ball, who is expected to miss at least the first several weeks of the season, was absent from Charlotte’s opening game, but they still won. Seven Hornets registered double-digit scoring during the Hornets’ triumph without him. Terry Rozier was the team’s scoring leader with 24 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Rozier made four three-pointers while shooting an amazing 57 percent from beyond the arc. Additionally, Gordon Hayward had five rebounds and 20 points. When Nick Richards was on the field, he managed a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, good for an outstanding +28.
When +28 is the team’s third-best +/- number, it wasn’t a bad night. Kelly Oubre, Jr. managed an incredible +36 during his little time on the court by scoring 13 points and grabbing four rebounds in just 23 minutes. On the night, New Orleans generated 26 assists while grabbing 51 rebounds. The team’s field goal percentage was 51 percent, including an impressive 45 percent from three points out. Seven rebounds were collected by PJ Washington and Mason Plumlee combined, which was tied for Charlotte’s second-highest total of the game. With four assists, two steals, and a remarkable 71 percent shooting in just 21 minutes, Dennis Smith, Jr. scored 12 points. With four steals, Oubre, Jr. was the team’s leader.
Final Pelicans-Hornets Prediction & Pick
With Zion leading the way, New Orleans appears to be almost unstoppable. LaMelo Ball won’t be in Charlotte for this one, for sure.
Final Prediction & Pick for Pelicans vs. Hornets: New Orleans -6.5 (-110), over 228.5 (-110)
The Pelicans vs. Hornets prediction, odds, and pick for the NBA game on October 21st, 2022, were the first to appear on ClutchPoints.
