Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets ATS Prediction

Victor TrejosBasketball, NBA

The Denver Nuggets (17-7) and the Charlotte Hornets (11-13) battle at Spectrum Center. The Nuggets are a 1-point favorite and will attempt to lengthen their seven-game winning streak. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 218 points and it will air on Fox Sports Carolina at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 7, 2018.

Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets Betting Odds

The Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic in their last game, 124-118, covering as 4.5-point favorites. The Hornets, on the other hand, were topped by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 121-104, and failed to cover as 4.5-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Denver game went 35.5 points over the projected point total of 206.5, while the Charlotte game finished 2.5 points over the projected point total of 222.5.

The Nuggets had a great free throw rate of 0.280 (above their season average of 0.182) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.616 (above their season average of 0.523). Charlotte, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 13.3). Charlotte was led by Jeremy Lamb, who finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jamal Murray, meanwhile played well for Denver, contributing 31 points and eight assists.

This series was highly competitive last year, as the teams split their two games last season. The Nuggets won the most recent matchup 121-104. Denver’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Charlotte. The Nuggets had a rate of 0.679 while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.578. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.

Of the Nuggets’ 24 games, 15 have gone under the total. Denver heads into the game with records of 17-7 straight up (SU) and 15-9 against the spread (ATS).

Vegas has been spot on when setting the O/U total of Hornets games, with an even split between overs and unders. Additionally, Charlotte is 11-13 SU and 14-10 ATS.

The Nuggets’ Juancho Hernangomez has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 12 points,6.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Lamb has averaged 18 points,6.6 rebounds,1.8 steals during that same time frame for the Hornets.

Second-chance opportunities might be few and far between for Charlotte in this showdown. The Hornets currently rank 23rd in offensive rebounding percentage (21.3 percent), while Denver ranks third in defensive rebounding percentage (79.1 percent).

Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets Pick

NBA Pick: SU Winner – Nuggets, ATS Winner – Nuggets, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Hornets average 5.291666666666667 blocks per game, which ranks 14 in the league. The Nuggets rank 23 in blocks allowed per game (5.708333333333333).
  • Denver ranks first in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while Charlotte ranks 20th (46.2).
  • The Hornets rank fifth in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while the Nuggets rank 19th (16.5).
  • Denver averages 15.5 second chance points per game, which ranks third in the league. Charlotte ranks 17th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
  • Charlotte ranks 5 in steals allowed per game (6.916666666666667) while Denver ranks 15 (7.625).
  • The Nuggets rank fourth in assists per game (27.1) while the Hornets rank 22nd in assists allowed per game (25.3).
  • The Hornets rank 7 in three pointers attempted per game (33.75) while the Nuggets rank 19 in three pointers allowed per game (32.166666666666664).
  • Denver ranks fifth in points in the paint per game (52.9) while Charlotte ranks 19th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.3).
  • Charlotte is 3-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Denver is 9-1.
  • The Hornets are 11-12 when they reach the century mark, while the Nuggets are 17-4.
  • Charlotte is 8-5 ATS at home, while Denver is 7-5 ATS on the road.
  • Of the Nuggets’ 12 road games, they have 8 unders and 4 overs.
  • The Hornets have 7 overs and 6 unders in 13 home games.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Denver and Charlotte have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Nuggets are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Hornets are 2-3.
  • During their last five games, the Nuggets have scored an average of 113.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 103.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
  • The Hornets have been outscored by an average of 3.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Charlotte has defeated opponents by an average of 2.8 points.