Hornets-Bulls prediction, pick, how to watch
The Charlotte Hornets (15-37) visit the Chicago Bulls (23-27) Thursday night. Action Tips at 8:10 p.m. ET. Below we continue our NBA odds series with a Hornets-Bulls prediction, pick and how to watch.
Charlotte has won two of its last three games but still sits 14th in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets have covered 46% of their games while 52% have exceeded their target point total. Chicago has lost three of its last four games to hold them in 11th place in the East. The Bulls covered 52% of their games while 54% sank. This will be the third of four meetings between the conference opponents this season. They’ve split the series so far, with each home team winning by double digits.
Here are the Hornets-Bulls NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NBA Odds: Hornets-Bulls Odds
Charlotte Hornets: +6 (-114)
Chicago Bulls: -6 (-106)
Over: 236.5 (-110)
Minus: 236.5 (-110)
How to Watch Hornets vs. Bulls
Television: Bally Southeast, NBCS Chicago
Stream: NBA League Pass
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT
*Watch LIVE NBA games with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Why hornets could cover the spread
Charlotte comes into tonight’s game having lost three straight road games. That being said, the Hornets are in a good position to cover tonight thanks to their dashing offense. After scoring 117 against Miami and 115 against Milwaukee, Charlotte showed her ability to score points against top defenses. Despite only averaging 112.3 PPG, the Hornets are elite on the fast break and in the paint. Charlotte is averaging 15.3 quick break points per game – seventh in the league. Despite playing at the fourth fastest pace in the league, the Hornets rarely turn the ball over, ranking fifth in turnover rate (11.7%). Additionally, they rank fifth with 54.9 points in the paint per game and 53.7 rebounds per game.
The Hornets are led by their talented backcourt of Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball. Both have posted good numbers all season, but have really figured things out in their last five games. During that span, Rozier leads the team with 24.2 PPG and 3.4 threes per game. Rozier scored 28 points in his last win over Chicago last week. Ball’s score has been down a bit lately, but he still averaged 20.3 PPG. Perhaps most impressive for Ball is his impact on the game outside of putting the ball in the basket. After a triple-double of 27 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, Ball is well equipped to give Chicago fits tonight.
The X factor for the Hornets tonight has to be big man Mason Plumlee. Plumlee is one of the most consistent and solid big men in the league. An excellent finisher around the rim, the veteran has averaged 16 PPG on 72% shooting over his last five games. He also remains a strong rebounder, averaging 9.6 RPGs over that span. When these teams faced off last week, Plumlee put on one of his best performances of the season. In the win, he scored 21 points on a perfect 9/9 shot while shooting 12 rebounds and delivering four assists.
Why Bulls Might Cover the Spread
Chicago is the definition of an average basketball team. The Bulls rank 15th in scoring (114.3 PPG) and 18th in defense (114.4 Opp. PPG). With an average differential of -0.1 points, they are as close as you can get to a perfectly average team. Despite ranking ninth in three-point percentage (37%), Chicago attempts the fewest outside shots in the league. Still, they remain effective on offense thanks to strong efficiency metrics. The Bulls shoot the fifth-highest percentage both from the free throw line (81%) and from the floor (49%). It’s a solid rebounding team that excels on defensive glass. Chicago holds the fourth-highest defensive rebound percentage in the league at 78%.
Chicago is led by their “Big Three” of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Outside of those three, no other Bull averages more than 10.5 points per game. That being said, these three were fantastic. DeRozan leads the team with 26.3 PPG and 5.0 APG on 51% shooting. The 33-year-old scored 28 points during their date with Charlotte last week – something he will have a good chance of replicating tonight.
As for LaVine and Vucevic, those are good scoring options themselves. LaVine is averaging 23.7 PPG thanks in large part to 2.9 threes per game. A streak scorer, LaVine could easily go for 35 points tonight…or 10. That being said, he was two assists away from a triple-double in their last outing and showed signs of contributing beyond the streak department. goalscorers. Vucevic is a strong stretcher and rebounder on the ground, averaging 17.6 PPG, 11.1 RPG and 1.7 threes per game.
Hornets-Bulls final prediction and selection
After beating the Bulls by double digits and giving Heat and Bucks adjustments in recent games, I like the Hornets keeping things tight tonight and wouldn’t be surprised if they win outright.
Final Hornets-Bulls prediction and selection: Charlotte Hornets +6 (-114)