Two of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference square off on Monday night as the Charlotte Hornets host the Philadelphia 76ers.
Given both of these teams’ offensive struggles and discombobulated play, my 76ers vs. Hornets predictions expect a low-scoring game between the two best Under teams in the league. Read more in my NBA picks below.
76ers vs Hornets prediction
My best bet
Under 215.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Things have gone from bad to worse for Nick Nurse and the Philadelphia 76ers, with Joel Embiid injured once again. The former MVP suffered a sinus fracture against the Pacers on Friday and is set to miss his 18th game of the season when the 76ers take on the Charlotte Hornets.
This was already set to be a worthwhile Under bet before Embiid was ruled out, but now it makes even more sense to fade these offenses with the best player on either side stuck on the bench.
Philadelphia and Charlotte are the two best Under teams in the NBA this season, with a combined 26-20-1 record betting the Under. Nobody would be surprised if you’d told them that before the season about the Hornets, but the 76ers have just had a dreadful start to the year.
They’re 27th in offensive rating (107.8) and scoring the second-fewest points per game in the league (105.3). They haven’t scored more than 118 points in a game this season, and that includes putting up fewer than 108 in 14 of 23 contests (60.8%).
And it’s not even just Embiid who’s missing from the lineup; rookie phenom Jared McCain (15.3 ppg) suffered a torn meniscus against the Pacers and is out indefinitely. That takes away two of Nurse’s top four scorers on an offense that’s already struggling to hit shots and create.
The 76ers have the sixth-lowest field goal percentage in the NBA (44%), the fourth-lowest 3-point percentage (32.3%), and are averaging the fewest assists per game (21.6). And it’s not as if Charlotte’s defense is non-existent.
The Hornets are giving up 112.4 points per game, the 13th-best mark in the NBA, and allow the 13th-lowest 3-point percentage (35.9%) and the seventh-fewest twos per game (26.7). More importantly for this Under, Charles Lee’s team is struggling to score.
LaMelo Ball has been on a tear this year, but he’s dealing with a calf injury and is questionable to play. Even if he does, Charlotte is just 26th in offensive rating (108.9) and scoring the third-fewest points per game in the NBA (106.6).
Meanwhile, the 76ers’ defense is still respectable, allowing the 10th-fewest points per game (110.6) with the 13th-best defensive rating (113.3).
76ers vs Hornets same-game parlay
Under 215.5
Kelly Oubre Jr. Under 14.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Over 1.5 steals
While Charlotte’s defense is far from the '04 Pistons, it has completely shut down shooting guards this season. The Hornets allow the fewest points per game to twos in the league (19.68), and that’s going to put Kelly Oubre Jr. in a difficult position.
Oubre is already an inconsistent scorer (12.8 ppg) and he’s gone Under 14.5 points in 18 of 23 games this season, including 11 of his last 12. That’s why Tyrese Maxey will need to bring it on both ends of the court to pick up the slack.
Maxey’s fourth in the league in steals per game (1.9), and in his last 10 games, he’s averaging 2.3 per game with 2+ in seven of them.
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76ers vs Hornets odds
76ers vs Hornets live odds
76ers vs Hornets opening odds
- Spread: Philadelphia -2 | Charlotte +2
- Moneyline: Philadelphia -135 | Charlotte +115
- Over/Under: Over 213 | Under 213
Odds courtesy of bet365.
76ers vs Hornets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The 76ers opened between a 2- and 2.5-point favorite,e with the line shifting a full point and most books offering Philly -3.5.
- Philadelphia has struggled ATS this season at just 9-14, while Charlotte is in the top half of the league at 14-11.
- The Over/Under opened between 212.5 and 213 at most books and has jumped up to 215.5 as tip approaches.
- These have been the two worst Over teams in the NBA this season, with the Hornets just 10-14-1 and the 76ers 10-12-1.
76ers vs Hornets trend
The 76ers have cashed the first-half Under in 37 of their last 58 games (+15.40 units / 23% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Hornets.
How to watch 76ers vs Hornets
| Location: | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date: | Monday, 12-16-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCS-Philadelphia, FDSNSE-CHA |
76ers vs Hornets latest injuries
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