Hornets vs Trail Blazers Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Monday, December 26th

Check out our free Hornets vs Trail Blazers pick and preview for this NBA game in Portland. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Hornets vs Trail Blazers NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers
Where: Portland at Moda Center
Date: Monday, December 26th
Betting Odds POR -6, CHA +188 | POR -233 O/U 237.5

So far, the Hornets have put together an overall record of 9-24, while going 15-16-2 vs the spread. Across the team’s previous 3 games, they have gone 2-1 straight-up and 2-1 vs the spread.

Charlotte is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Lakers. With the 134-130 victory, they also covered the spread as 3 point underdogs. Charlotte and the Lakers entered the second half all tied at 67. In the win, P.J. Washington led the team in scoring with 24 points on a field goal percentage of 61.5%.

So far, the Trail Blazers have put together an overall record of 17-16, while going 20-13-0 vs the spread. Against the Hornets, the Trail Blazers are looking to break out of a 3 game losing streak. These defeats have come on an average scoring differential of -6.0 points per contest.

Portland is trying to bounce back from a 120-107 loss to the Nuggets. Going into this game, the team was 5 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. Portland missed out on an opportunity to add a win to their resume, as they held a 6 point lead going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Damian Lillard, as he contributed 34 points while hitting 45.5% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

I Similar to their season-long average, the Hornets averaged 120.5 points per game vs the Trail Blazers. On the other side, Portland saw an improvement in their scoring numbers when playing the Hornets, as they averaged 119.0 points per game in these matchups. Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Portland has an ATS mark of 3-2. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 2 points per game separates the teams. In these contests, they averaged a combined 224 points per game, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Through 33 games, the Hornets are averaging 111.3 points per contest, placing them 22nd in the NBA. Coming into today’s game, the Hornets will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.7 made 3’s per game. One reason that they are still scoring at a high rate, is the fact that they are ranked 6th in the NBA in possessions per contest. These increased opportunites have helped make up for the lack of outside shooting.

On defense, the Hornets will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 25th ranked unit in points allowed per game.

This season, the Hornets offense has primarily worked through Kelly Oubre Jr. and Terry Rozier who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 33 games, Oubre Jr. is 46th in the NBA at 20.8 points per game. So far, him and Rozier have accounted for 41% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 41.8 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Terry Rozier is grabbing 4.5 rebounds for Charlotte to go along with 5.5 assists.

Through 33 games, the Trail Blazers are averaging 112.0 points per contest, placing them 18th in the NBA. When looking at the team’s pace of play, the Trail Blazers are currently below the league average in possessions per game, averaging just 97.0 per contest. This slow style of play has made a difference in their overall scoring numbers, as Portland is just 23rd in made field goals per game.

Defensively, Portland has had its problems giving up an average of 115.11 points per game (27th).

Shooting Guard Anfernee Simons currently leads the Trail Blazers at 22.5 points per game. For the season, he is 53rd in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 21.6% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Simons is averaging 2.9 boards and 4.2 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 16th ranked defense at defending shooting guards. Jerami Grant enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 31 games, he is averaging 21.8 and is 98th in the league in player efficiency rating.