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Charlotte Hornets at San Antonio Spurs: Odds, Injury Report, Prediction

By Evan Birchmore

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates with teammates after a basket in the second half at AT&T Center on December 15 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 15: Gordon Hayward #20 of the Charlotte Hornets celebrates with teammates after a basket in the second half at AT&T Center on December 15 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets will begin their 2022-2023 campaign tonight in the Alamo City as they take on the San Antonio Spurs.

Charlotte Hornets at San Antonio Spurs: Odds and Moneyline (FanDuel)

Point Spread: Hornets -1

Money line: Hornets -116/ Spurs -102

Over-under: 221.5

Charlotte Hornets at San Antonio Spurs: Injury Report

Hornets: LaMelo Ball (left ankle sprain) is OUT

Spurs: None

Charlotte Hornets at San Antonio Spurs: Key Statistic

The Spurs are 23-2 in season openers under Gregg Popovich, the best record of any NBA team in season openers in that time. They have won six consecutive season openers, with their last loss coming in their first game of the 2015-16 season.

Charlotte Hornets at San Antonio Spurs: Key Matchup

Gordon Hayward vs. Keldon Johnson

Gordon Hayward had his best performance of the season last year in San Antonio, posting 41 points on 15/19 shooting (78.9%). He knocked down 5/6 three-pointers (83.3%) and made all six of his free throws. Hayward has had strong performances in season openers while in Charlotte, averaging 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5 assists in such games.

Meanwhile, Keldon Johnson had the second-highest scoring performance of his career the last time these teams squared off. In that game, Johnson had 33 points and 8 rebounds on 58.33% shooting.

Johnson is San Antonio’s leading returning scorer after averaging 17.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in 75 appearances last season.

Charlotte Hornets at San Antonio Spurs: Prediction

The Spurs have been excellent in season openers under Popovich and are always a sure bet to be well-coached. However, they also have the lowest projected win total of any team (22.5) according to Vegas Insider. They traded away their best player during the offseason and the writing may be on the wall that the end of Popovich’s tenure is drawing near.

Meanwhile, the Hornets had a tumultuous offseason to say the least. They will enter this contest without their best player and are dealing with yet another off-court legal incident.

That said, the Hornets will be a better team than the Spurs this year, and that will begin with a road victory tonight.

Hornets 105, Spurs 100

What is next for the Charlotte Hornets?

Friday, October 21st – vs. New Orleans Pelicans (regular season home opener)

Note: Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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