LA Clippers at Charlotte Hornets odds, picks and predictions
Nathan Beighle
USA TODAY Sports
The Charlotte Hornets (12-32) welcome the LA Clippers (27-20) to Spectrum Center Friday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Clippers vs. Hornetsodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Clippers swept 2-0 last season
The Clippers beat the San Antonio Spurs 128-116 Wednesday, covering as 3.5-point road favorites with the Over (222.5) cashing. F Kawhi Leonard and G Norman Powell scored 27 points apiece as LA won its third game in its last 4 and covered for the fourth time in its last 5 outings. The Clippers are 29-17-1 against the spread (ATS) according to Covers.com, and 12-10 ATS on the road per Teamrankings.com.
The Hornets lost to the Brooklyn Nets 104-83 Wednesday, coming up way short as 1.5-point home favorites as the Under (205) hit. F Miles Bridges finished with a game-high 23 points. Charlotte has lost 2 in a row and 4 of its last 5 -- the Hornets went 1-3-1 ATS in those. The Hornets are 22-20-2 ATS on the season and 12-11-1 ATS at home.
Clippers at Hornets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 10:21 p.m. ET.
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Moneyline (ML) : Clippers -1100 (bet $1,100 to win $100) | Hornets +650 (bet $100 to win $650)
: Clippers -1100 (bet $1,100 to win $100) | Hornets +650 (bet $100 to win $650) Against the spread (ATS) : Clippers -14.5 (-110) | Hornets +14.5 (-110)
: Clippers -14.5 (-110) | Hornets +14.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Clippers at Hornets key injuries
Clippers
G Kris Dunn (knee) out
Hornets
G LaMelo Ball (ankle) out
(ankle) out G/F Cody Martin (hernia) out
(hernia) out F Brandon Miller (wrist) out
(wrist) out F Grant Williams (ACL) out
(ACL) out C Mark Williams (foot) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Clippers at Hornets picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 109, Hornets 100
PASS.
The Hornets (+650) will be missing their most efficient offensive weapon in Ball along with some other minor pieces. Without Ball, they stand little chance and shouldn't be taken to win outright, although they do have some value on the spread.
BET HORNETS +14.5 (-110).
Charlotte is 3-2-1 ATS in its last 6 home games. As double-digit underdogs, the Hornets are 4-1 ATS in the last 5. The Hornets have scored at least 107 points in 3 of their last 5 and 8 of their last 10, so they should be able to keep pace with the Clippers, especially on their home floor.
The Clippers are 1-1 ATS in their last 2 road games -- they were favored in both. Meanwhile, LA is 3-5 ATS in its last 8 on the road.
Considering the big spread, BACK HORNETS +14.5 (-110).
BET UNDER 214.5 (-115).
Neither team plays at a fast tempo. The Hornets rank 22nd and the Clippers rank 20th in pace, so this has the writing of a slow game, which should equate to fewer scoring opportunities.
The Clippers, who are 4-6 O/U in their last 10, have traded off going Over and Under in 8 straight and are primed to cash an Under. The Hornets have gone Under in 4 straight games, allowing 104 or fewer points in 3 of those.
BET UNDER 214.5 (-115).
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