The Philadelphia 76ers will travel to Time Warner Cable Arena to take on the Charlotte Hornets. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Apr. 4 and will air on CSN-PHI and SPSO.
The Hornets easily got past the Pistons 102-78 on Wednesday. Kemba Walker had a good game, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists for the Hornets. The 76ers, meanwhile, are coming off a 106-93 loss at the hands of the Wizards on Wednesday. Ish Smith had a good shooting night, leading the team with 23 points.
Nerlens Noel has been on fire over the last five games for the 76ers, averaging 17.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
Based on each team’s statistical profile, ball protection could play an integral role in this matchup. The Hornets commit the fewest miscues in the NBA (turnover percentage of 11.4%), while the ball-hawking defense of Charlotte forces the second-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.2%). Furthermore, the 30th-ranked offense of the 76ers (offensive efficiency of 92.6) will face a tough test against the fifth-ranked defense of the Hornets (defensive efficiency of 100.2).
The two teams have split their matchups this season. The 76ers had the upper hand in the most recent game, an 89-81 win. Robert Covington scored a game-high 22 points.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Hornets look to improve upon their records of 32-42 Straight Up (SU) and 36-36-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 24-21 SU and 24-19-2 ATS against teams from the Eastern Conference. The Hornets, sporting the fourth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA (1.86), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team. Turning to the defensive side, the Charlotte defense has been very good, only giving up 97.1 points per game. An area where the Hornets are particularly strong is defensive rebounding where they average 34.4 defensive rebounds per game, third in the NBA.
On the other side, Philadelphia has a SU record of 18-58 and an ATS record of 38-36-2. In Eastern Conference games, Philadelphia has gone 12-34 SU and 21-24-1 ATS. When it comes to defending the rim, the 76ers are one of the best in the league with an average of 6.0 blocks per game.
Following the 76ers’ latest win over Charlotte, the two teams’ head-to-head record is now an even 5-5 SU in their last 10 games. They are even bets ATS in their last 10 meetings as well. Charlotte and Philadelphia each held the edge in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) once in their last 10 meetings.
Predictions: SU Winner – PHI, ATS Winner – PHI
Notes
Charlotte is 3-7-1 SU in its last 11 games,.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Charlotte’s last 10 games at home.
Charlotte is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Charlotte’s last 9 games when playing Philadelphia.
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Charlotte’s last 13 games when playing at home against Philadelphia.
Charlotte is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Philadelphia.
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Philadelphia’s last 13 games when playing on the road against Charlotte.
Philadelphia averages 91.6 points per game, placing the team just 30th in the league. Charlotte ranks fifth in points allowed, giving up 97.1 points per game.
Philadelphia puts up an average of 88.1 points per away game (ranked 30th), while Charlotte allows 96.8 points per home game (ranked ninth).
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Charlotte Hornets are a solid 25-16. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Philadelphia 76ers have an abysmal record of 14-48.
When Charlotte gives up at least 100 points, it has a subpar 7-26 record this season. Philadelphia also has a poor record when it hits the century mark (4-10).
The Hornets have an offensive rating of 98.3 (ranked 28th). The 76ers rank 11th for their defensive rating of 101.6.
Charlotte averages fewer possessions per game than Philadelphia, with 96.9 compared to 99.0. However, the Hornets score an average of .983 points per possession, more than the .926 that the 76ers score.
Charlotte has an average effective field goal percentage of 45.9%. Philadelphia is a subpar 4-48 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
Charlotte makes an average of 20.6 assists per game (ranked 25th), while Philadelphia makes 20.6 assists per game (ranked 26th).
Philadelphia ranks near the top of the league in blocking at fourth (6.0 blocks per game). Charlotte is ranked seventh, with 5.6 blocks per game.
Charlotte is ranked 25th in offensive rebounding. Philadelphia ranks 26th in defensive rebounds.
The Philadelphia 76ers earn an average of 9.8 steals per game and are ranked first. The Charlotte Hornets have a 3-4 record when they allow at least 9 steals.
