Hornets vs Suns Picks and Predictions: Booker Back for Desert Shootout

With the schedule dropping games like flies, we're still getting a game in Phoenix as the Suns welcome the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.

The Suns remain without shooting guard Devin Booker but haven't lost a step. Winners of eight of their last 10, the Suns own the NBA's best record at 23-5 and have only lost twice at home this season. Now, Booker's back, and the Suns have the opportunity to pad their record against Charlotte.

The Hornets, meanwhile, have hit the skids with seven losses over their last 10 games as they cling to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Let's take a look at whether or not Charlotte can buck its recent trends en route to a major upset - or to simply cover - the league's best in our free NBA betting picks for Hornets vs. Suns on Sunday night with tip-off at 9:00 p.m., ET. 

Hornets vs Suns odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Suns opened as 7-point favorites before the line shifted slightly to Phoenix -7.5 across the board. After news of Booker's activation, however, that spread shot up to -9. The total opened at 230 with some shops giving an extra half-point at 231 at time of writing.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Hornets vs Suns predictions

• Prediction: Suns -9 (-110)
• Prediction: Over 231 (-110)
• Best bet: LaMelo Ball Over 2.5 3-pointers made (+125)

Predictions made on 12/19/2021 at 7:15 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Hornets vs Suns game info

• Location: Footprint Arena, Phoenix, AZ
• Date: Sunday, December 19, 2021
• Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET
• TV: BSAZ, BSSE

Hornets vs Suns betting preview

Injuries

Hornets: None reported.
Suns: Abdel Nader SF (Out), Frank Kaminsky PF (Out), Dario Saric PF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Hornets are 11-2 against the spread in their last 13 games vs. a team with a straight-up winning record. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Suns.

Hornets vs Suns picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

The Hornets have had an up-and-down season and are currently mired in a down stretch. They can often go on runs with the likes of LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Gordon Hayward leading the way, each averaging at least 18 points per game. Charlotte also ranks third in the NBA with an Effective FG% of 54.3 and is tied for first in scoring at 115.6 points per game.

Sounds great, right? There is a hitch. The Hornets can't stop anybody and have far-and-away allowed the most points per game at 116.6. Basically, Charlotte has to score a ton of points anytime it hopes to win because their defense is the equivalent of a sieve. 

The Suns, in addition to holding the NBA's best record at 23-5, are sixth in offensive efficiency and second in defensive. This is a well-oiled machine that has hardly skipped a beat with leading-scorer Booker out of the lineup. Well, Booker's back, and the Suns are almost at full-strength, so we're comfortable backing the home team with a big spread.

Phoenix has had a couple of nights off and has had a relatively light schedule in December. Well-rested and at home against the Hornets, who give up more baskets than anyone and are playing their fourth game of a six-game road trip and this result feels foretold. 

Prediction: Suns -9 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

Two Top-10 offenses and one basement-dwelling defense are enough to expect a high-scoring affair in the desert. Even if the Suns effectively contain the Hornets' 3-point onslaught, it seems unlikely that Charlotte will be able to return the favor. The Hornets don't turn the ball over too often, so the bulk of their possessions will result in baskets, or at least shot attempts.

Both teams play at brisk paces ranking within the six fastest in the league. Charlotte averages 102.4 possessions while Phoenix is at 102.1. There will be plenty of opportunities to score and neither team misses its chances to drain baskets. The Suns hit 47.5% of their field-goal attempts, second only to the Utah Jazz, while the Hornets rank sixth at 46.5%.

This has the makings of a shootout, and even if Phoenix pulls away - as they should - the lofty Over is a manageable number for these two high-octane offenses. 

Prediction: Over 231 (-110)

Best bet

The Suns have the edge and will almost certainly win this game, possibly by a wide margin. If Phoenix pulls ahead early on, Charlotte will turn to their most effective attack: the 3-pointer. The Hornets hit 14.3 threes per game and shooting guard LaMelo Ball is responsible for about three of them each time out. He's shooting just under 40% from downtown and went 3 for 5 against Portland in his return after a six-game absence. 

In his last game before missing time due to health and safety protocols, he torched the Milwaukee Bucks with a season-high eight 3-pointers on 15 attempts. Ball can run hot-and-cold, but this number is too nice to pass up. The Suns defend the three relatively well, but aren't perimeter stalwarts, allowing 11.6 per game on 34.3% shooting. 

There's always some risk that Ball will lay an egg as he's posted four 0-fers in 25 games, but I like him to set up shop beyond the arc with the Hornets down early and often.

Pick: LaMelo Ball Over 2.5 3-pointers made (+125 at DraftKings)

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