Hornets vs. Hawks Preview: Odds, Lines, Predictions

The Charlotte Hornets have been playing inspired basketball over their last two games. Despite playing some of the weakest competition in the league, the Swarm have taken care of business and return home looking to make it back to .500 against the Atlanta Hawks.

The Hornets and Hawks are locked in a tight battle for play-in positioning at the moment, so this contest is bound to have playoff implications. With the Hawks sitting a half-game ahead of the Hornets, the winner of this game will move to ninth place in the East.

Keys to the Game

Contain the best player on the court. Trae Young has been torching opponents over his last two games. Averaging 46.5 points per game and 8.5 assists per game, Young has been unstoppable. If the Swarm can lock him up, they have a great chance at winning the game.

Take makeable shots early. This is technically a key to winning every game, but it is especially prevalent against the Hawks, who are top-ten in all three shooting categories this season. While the Hornets have the highest-scoring offense, their percentages are lacking in some regards. If the game boils down to free throws in the fourth quarter, the Hawks have the clear advantage. To avoid that, the Swarm will have to take good shots in the first half and build a comfortable lead early.

Odds and Moneyline provided by BetUS 

Point spread: pick’em

Money line: pick’em

Over-under: 241

In a game that has significant play-in seeding implications, this is truly a pick’em. The Hawks have been playing better as of late, but the Hornets are at home. This should be a high-scoring, back-and-forth game. The over seems likely; these two teams like to score early and in bunches.

Final Prediction

The Hornets cannot quite contain Young and fall 124-121. Young has a 30-point, 10-assist effort that out-duels LaMelo Ball’s monster near-triple-double.