NBA: Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Charlotte Hornets will have the best possible test of their abilities tonight once they meet the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center. Hornets are pretty solid at the moment, but we’ll see the true measure of their quality against the No.1 title contenders in the league. James Borrego has an interesting team, who plays appealing basketball. If it weren’t for LaMelo Ball’s injury, this one would be a spectacle, but we can expect to see exciting basketball even without the fantastic rookie. As for the Nets, well, we don’t need to waste any words to tell you who and what they are.

Preview

Charlotte Hornets (24-22, TBA) have four victories over the past five games, with the single loss coming at home to the Phoenix Suns. That 101-97 defeat took place after overtime, and one hell of a battle. We need to say that even if the Hornets won, that would be fair.

Borrego’s unit responded well after that loss, beating the Washington Wizards in DC, 114-104, with Terry Rozier scoring 27 points and leading his team once again. Scarry Terry had seven boards, four assists, and five threes. Gordon Hayward had one point fewer, 26, posting 11 rebounds and six assists, doing excellent work on both ends of the floor.

Cody Zeller needs to be mentioned as well, as the strong center recorded a double-double off the bench, 16 points, and 13 boards, five of them offensive. What wasn’t good at all is the fact that the Hornets allowed 56 points from the paint.

Brooklyn Nets (33-15, TBA) have five wins in the past six games, with the note that three latest are in a row. The first was against the Pistons in Detroit, the second against the Timberwolves at home, the same as the most recent one vs. Rockets last night, 120-108. The Nets were 18 points behind the guests with five minutes to go, but managed to overcome that deficit due to Kyrie Irving, who had 31 points and 12 assists. Joe Harris had 28 buckets, with seven threes made.

This was a very interesting match because of James Harden, who was traded from the Rockets at the start of the year. Even though he already faced Houston once before, the media dedicated a lot of attention to this fact.

The Beard had 17 points, 8 boards, and six assists but was out for the entire fourth quarter due to hamstring tightness, which might prevent him from playing tonight.

Head to Head Games

The first and the only game so far this season took place on December 27th, with the Nets losing in Charlotte, 106-104, following an interesting match. Durant scored 29 points for the guests, while Hayward had one fewer for the winners.

Prediction

Everything here depends upon Harden’s condition. If he plays, the home team will win, there’s no debate about that. If, on the other side, Beard has to sit out, chances are 60-40 in Brooklyn’s favor. There is one more thing you need to know. If LaMarcus Aldridge plays, feel free to bet on the Nets’ victory. Otherwise, over 233.5 points which is the current line, is a good choice.