San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/15/2023

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Where to watch: BSSE-CHA, BSSW-SA

DraftKings: Hornets -6.5

FanDuel: Hornets -7

BetMGM: Hornets -7.5

Caesars: Hornets -7

Spurs: 14-44

Hornets: 16-43

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You’re not going to get many games with so many losses between them against each other, but that’s the situation here in Charlotte tonight. The Hornets are laying seven against the San Antonio Spurs, who are on a 13-game losing streak entering this matchup.

 

While recent history doesn’t say anything productive for either team, I like the Hornets in this battle of two lottery-bound teams who will be in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes. The Hornets ended a seven-game losing streak on Monday in a 144-138 win over the Atlanta Hawks at home. This is going to be the the third straight home game of a stretch where the Hornets get seven of eight at the Spectrum Center.

 

If there was a stretch for something positive to come out of this for the Hornets, it would be this one. The run of home games started with a 119-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets, which is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, even though Charlotte was only getting seven in that one.

 

One thing you can absolutely count on as it pertains to these lottery-bound teams in the NBA is that defense doesn’t exist under any circumstances whatsoever. The Hornets shot 63% in their win over Atlanta, en route to 144 points. That doesn’t happen under most nights. LaMelo Ball had 30 points and 15 assists to go with six rebounds, and terry Rozier finished with 29 points. Gordon Hayward even chipped in with 26.

 

“One thing about Melo is he’s a gamer,” Rozier said. “He can be having any type of day, good or bad, but once he’s in that game he just hoops. Nothing that he does surprises me anymore. He’s a true gamer.”

 

Being 5-point underdogs was the first time the Hornets covered in eight games, but this is going to be the first time that the Hornets are favored by so much. The one thing you can count on the Spurs for, even though thye haven’t covered a game in a hot minute before their 117-109 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and getting the 16-point cover, is the Spurs tend to play well up to their competition.

 

Of course it hasn’t shown that as of late with the Spurs losing 13 straight, and the fact that they’re only 2-11 against the spread in their last 13. San Antonio has also failed to cover in the last four meetings and are just 2-5 ATS in the last seven against Charlotte. Given they’re getting seven and not playing defense of their own, this seems like a matchup nightmare for the Spurs.

 

Guard play should dictate this one, and with the Spurs still down some key members in the guard rotation, this should favor the Hornets for an outright cover. Hornets 130, Spurs 118

Spurs are 1-5 ATS against Southeast Division teams this year.

Spurs are 4-14 ATS revenging a home loss this season.

Spurs are 20-34 ATS after three straight losses the last 3 seasons.

Hornets are 5-8 ATS as a favorite this season.

Hornets are 10-24 ATS after losing 4 or 5 of their last 6 against the spread this season.

PG: Malaki Branham

SG: Josh Richardson

SF: Keldon Johnson

PF: Keita Bates-Diop

C: Jakob Poeltl

PG: LaMelo Ball

SG: Terry Rozier

SF: Gordon Hayward

PF: P.J. Washington

C: Mason Plumlee