The Charlotte Hornets (8-28) and Utah Jazz (10-28) meet Wednesday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Hornets vs. Jazzodds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; tied 1-1 last season as road team won and covered both meetings and the Over-Under split
Charlotte split a home-and-home set with the Phoenix Suns, winning 115-104 at home Jan. 7 as a 4.5-point underdog as the Under (225.5) cashed. While the Hornets have just the single victory over the Suns in the past 12 games, Charlotte is 3-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in the past 4 outings.
Utah edged the Brooklyn Nets 112-111 in overtime last time out on Suday, failing to cover as a 3.5-point favorite. However, the Jazz was covering a majority of that game until a fourth quarter meltdown. Utah is just 3-8 SU across the past 11 games, but it is 5-1 ATS in the past 6 outings, and 10-3 ATS in the past 13 contests.
Hornets at Jazz odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hornets -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Jazz +185 (bet $100 to win $185)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets -5.5 (-115) | Jazz +5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hornets at Jazz key injuries
Hornets
Jazz
- G Jordan Clarkson (foot) out
- F John Collins (hip) out
- G Keyonte George (heel) questionable
- G Johnny Juzang (hand) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Hornets at Jazz picks and predictions
Prediction
Hornets 113, Jazz 106
Moneyline
At first, it was stunning to see the 8-win Hornets (-225) as the rather decisive road favorites, but then we got down to the injury report.
While Jazz (+185) leading scorer F Lauri Markkanen is no longer on the injury report, Collins (17.9 PPG) and Clarkson (16.0 PPG) are both missing, and George (15.6 PPG) carries a questionable tag. That means Utah will be missing its third- and fourth-highest scorers, and if George sits, it’d be without its fifth-highest scorer, too.
PASS.
Against the spread
Take the HORNETS -5.5 (-115) laying the points, but go lightly. After all, it’s still Charlotte, a team which has won just once in the past 12 games, while going 2-19 since Nov. 23.
Over/Under
UNDER 221.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
Again, Utah is going to be missing a huge percentage of its scoring. The Under has a 4-3 edge in the previous 7 outings for the Jazz.
Looking to the Hornets, it’s all about the Under lately. The total has gone low in 8 of the past 9 games, while going 10-3 across the previous 13 outings.
Also, the Under on a 5-1 run in the series.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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