The New Orleans Pelicans (11-12) will attempt to end their five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Charlotte Hornets (11-11) at Spectrum Center. The game starts at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 2, 2018, and will air on Fox Sports Carolina.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 235 points with Charlotte opening as a 2.5-point favorite.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets Free Prediction
In the Pelicans’ last contest, they were 3-point favorites and lost to the Miami Heat, 106-101. The combined points for the game (207) came in well under the projected point total of 228. Miami’s 8.8 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over New Orleans, who had a mark of 14.4. The Heat’s mark was better than their season average of 13.2. Anthony Davis was the game’s leading scorer with 41 points on 15-for-23 shooting.
The Hornets lost to the Utah Jazz in their last contest, 119-111, despite being 2-point favorites. The total points for the game (230) were over the O/U total of 218. Utah’s 0.160 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Charlotte, who had a rate of 0.084. The Jazz’s mark was below their season average of 0.233, while the Hornets’ was below their season average of 0.206. With 15 points and 11 rebounds, Charlotte’s Marvin Williams put together a solid game.
Charlotte should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Charlotte ranks first in the NBA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 11.5 percent), while New Orleans forces the sixth-fewest turnovers (12.5 percent).
New Orleans holds records of 11-12 straight up (SU) and 10-13 against the spread (ATS). Pelicans games tend to go over the total (56.5 percent).
Meanwhile, Charlotte owns records of 11-11 SU and 14-8 ATS. Vegas is highly precise when setting the O/U total of Hornets games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Jeremy Lamb has averaged 19 points,6.6 rebounds,1.4 steals over the last five games for Charlotte.
After the Pelicans won both contests against the Hornets last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the last contest, New Orleans won 119-115. The Pelicans had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.5 vs. 18.2) and had a better turnover percentage (10.0 vs. 11.2).
Pelicans at Hornets Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Hornets, ATS Winner – Hornets, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
New Orleans is 4-8 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 5 unders.
Charlotte is 8-4 ATS at home with 7 overs and 5 unders.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, New Orleans is 2-0 and Charlotte is 3-0.
In games where they score over 100 points, the Pelicans are 11-11 and the Hornets are 11-10.
Charlotte ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while New Orleans ranks 26th (9.2).
The Pelicans average 5.8 blocks per game, which ranks ninth in the league. The Hornets rank 28th in blocks allowed per game (6.6).
New Orleans averages 48.5 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the NBA. Charlotte ranks 20th in rebounds allowed per game (45.8).
The Pelicans rank first in second chance points per game (17.4) while the Hornets rank 17th in second chance points allowed per game (13.7).
New Orleans averages 26.5 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the league. Charlotte ranks 21st in assists allowed per game (24.6).
The Pelicans average 57.73913043478261 points in the paint per game, which ranks 1 in the NBA. The Hornets rank 16 in points allowed in the paint per game (48.72727272727273).
Charlotte ranks 8 in three pointers attempted per game (33.68181818181818) while New Orleans ranks 22 in three pointers allowed per game (33.04347826086956).
The Hornets rank 5 in points off turnovers per game (19.272727272727273) while the Pelicans rank 17 (16.82608695652174).
Charlotte ranks 19 in fast break points per game (11.954545454545455) while New Orleans ranks 24 in fast break points allowed per game (15.304347826086957).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, New Orleans is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Charlotte is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Pelicans have been outscored by an average of 3.2 points in their last five games. For the season, New Orleans has defeated opponents by an average of 1.3 points.
During their last five games, the Hornets have scored an average of 111.2 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 110.6 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
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