The Charlotte Hornets are jockeying for position in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, and there’s a little more on the line tonight against a Brooklyn Nets team that’s also eyeing the draft lottery.
Charlotte’s nine-game losing streak has been grim, but my Nets vs. Hornets predictions expect LaMelo Ball to bring his A-game and keep the hosts in this one.
Check out my NBA picks and betting tips for a March 8 battle that neither team has much incentive to win.
Nets vs Hornets prediction
My best bet
LaMelo Ball Over 30.5 points & assists (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
It feels like an annual late-season tradition to wonder where the Charlotte Hornets are going and whether LaMelo Ball can drive winning for the franchise.
Injuries – for Ball and key co-stars – have once again muddied that conversation, but I expect the best version of LaMelo in tonight’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. Ball doesn’t need any persuasion to dominate the Charlotte offense, and I’m jumping on this combo Over as the Hornets try to end their miserable losing skid.
With limited offense around him, there’s an easy path to 20 shots for LaMelo, and he shouldn’t meet much resistance from Cam Thomas and D’Angelo Russell in the Brooklyn backcourt.
Ball fouled out in just 23 minutes last night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he went past this 30.5 O/U line in his two prior outings, including a 28-point, six-assist effort against the Minnesota Timberwolves in midweek.
His 3-point volume certainly helps. Even though he’s only shooting 34% from downtown this season, he’s averaging a career-high 11.6 attempts per game – and that provides a nice floor for his points total.
LaMelo’s assist numbers have been more erratic, in part due to the inexperienced shooters around him, but he’s dished at least six dimes in five of his last seven contests. The Nets have allowed 121 points or more in four of their last five games, and I see Ball taking advantage to elevate a shaky Charlotte offense.
Nets vs Hornets same-game parlay
LaMelo Ball Over 30.5 points & assists
Nets moneyline
Cam Thomas Over 21.5 points
The Nets have had the upper hand in this matchup in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 meetings, including a 97-89 rock fight last month, and I’m taking their moneyline here for my SGP.
Cam Johnson’s absence with a knee issue is a blow for Brooklyn, but the visitors have enough scoring to overcome that. Twelve of their 21 victories this season have come on the road, and they’ve got the rest advantage too, with Charlotte on the second night of a back-to-back set.
Just as Ball will gladly grab a big share of the Hornets’ shots, I expect Thomas to come out firing for the Nets. He’s still finding his rhythm after a hamstring injury, but that didn’t stop him scoring 23 points in 27 minutes on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors.
The Hornets have had some rough defensive outings over the past 10 games, giving up at least 125 points in five of those contests, and Thomas should have his pick of favorable matchups. I see him cruising past the 20-point mark.
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Nets vs Hornets odds
Nets vs Hornets live odds
Nets vs Hornets opening odds
- Spread: Brooklyn -4.5 (-110) | Charlotte +4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Brooklyn -185 | Charlotte +155
- Over/Under: Over 213 (-110) | Under 213 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Nets vs Hornets spread and Over/Under analysis
- With a 9-24 mark at home this year, the Hornets enter as underdogs despite a steady 31-29-2 ATS record overall.
- The Nets are 4-1 in their last five visits to Spectrum Center.
- Both teams have hammered the Under this season – it’s 35-27 for Brooklyn and 38-23-1 for Charlotte, but the line of 212 feels light given the shortage of plus defenders on show.
- The Nets have hit the Team Total Over in just 15 of their last 42 contests, but they served up a 121-119 thriller against the Warriors last time out and have nailed the Over in four of their last five games.
Nets vs Hornets trend
The Hornets have only covered the 1H spread in 32 of their past 82 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Hornets.
How to watch Nets vs Hornets
| Location | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Date | Saturday, 3-8-2025 |
| Tip-off | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | YES, FanDuel Sports Network SE-Charlotte |
Nets vs Hornets latest injuries
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