Charlotte Hornets vs
New Orleans PelicansPredictions & Preview

Charlotte Hornets Look to Sweep New Orleans Pelicans in Sunday Showdown

The final Hornets vs. Pelicans prediction of the season suggests that Charlotte will be looking to complete a sweep of New Orleans on Sunday night. In their previous matchup in January, the Hornets won by 31 points at home. This time, they will face off at Smoothie King Center at 7:00 p.m. EST. Despite New Orleans being the betting favorite at -3, the current line has them at -3.5. Stay tuned for the full prediction and analysis of this anticipated showdown.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Hornets +130 | Pelicans -150
• Spread: Hornets +3.5 (-110) | Pelicans -3.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 214 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that New Orleans will win straight-up is 60%.

Charlotte vs New Orleans Stats

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets are entering Sunday's matchup on a four-game losing streak, primarily due to struggles on offense. They rank 29th in offensive rating and have the worst true shooting percentage in the NBA. Additionally, they have low rankings in rim efficiency, three-point percentage, turnover rate, and free throw attempts per game. The only strength they have is their offensive rebounding rate. Defensively, they are 23rd in defensive rating and struggle against midrange attempts. The team is also dealing with key injuries to LaMelo Ball, Tre Mann, Brandon Miller, and Grant Williams. In terms of performance statistics, they are ranked 28th in offense and allow an average of 113.96 points per game on defense. The team has a power ranking of 30 and an overall record of 18-55 this season.

New Orleans Pelicans Analysis

The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling this season with a 2-6 record in their last eight games. Despite injuries, they have the worst defensive rating in the NBA and are ranked in the bottom 10 at defending scoring levels. They also struggle with defensive rebounding and allowing free throw attempts. On offense, they have a low offensive rating and struggle with efficiency. The Pelicans are facing the Hornets with key injuries to Brandon Boston, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson. Their power ranking is 27, with rankings of 23 for offense and 26 for defense. They allow high percentages of field goals and free throws, and struggle with three-point shooting. The Pelicans average a low number of defensive rebounds and have a high turnover rate. It will be a challenging game for the struggling team.

Pelicans Expected to Capitalize on Home-court Advantage Against Hornets

The Pelicans are expected to benefit from the home-court advantage in the upcoming clash against the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte has faced difficulties on the road, with a 0-4 record in their last four away games. Meanwhile, New Orleans has a favorable 3-1-1 ATS record in their recent matchups. It is anticipated that the Pelicans will have a better shooting performance and win the turnover battle against the Hornets compared to their previous meeting in January. Given Charlotte's struggles as the NBA's least efficient team, it is unlikely that they will shoot 50% against New Orleans again. Therefore, it is recommended to place your confidence in the Pelicans to cover the spread in this second round encounter.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]