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Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Odds, Injury Report, Prediction

By Evan Birchmore

Dec 17, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) after a game at Moda Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won the game 125-116. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2021; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) after a game at Moda Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won the game 125-116. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Charlotte Hornets return to action tonight as they welcome the Portland Trail Blazers to town for a midweek matchup, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Odds and Moneyline (FanDuel)

Point Spread: Trail Blazers -4.5

Money line: Trail Blazers -190 / Hornets +160

Over-under: 219.5

Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Injury Report

Hornets: LaMelo Ball (left ankle sprain) and Gordon Hayward (left shoulder contusion) are OUT.

Cody Martin (left quad soreness) is DOUBTFUL.

Trail Blazers: Olivier Sarr (right wrist sprain) and Gary Payton II (abdomen) are OUT.

Damian Lillard (right calf strain), Anfernee Simons (left foot inflammation), Jerami Grant (left ankle sprain), Justice Winslow (right ankle sprain), Jusuf Nurkic (right adductor soreness), and John Butler Jr. (right index finger soreness) are PROBABLE.

Keon Johnson (left hip pointer) is QUESTIONABLE.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Key Statistic

Fast break points

Charlotte is allowing just 10.4 fast break points per game, the lowest figure in the league. Portland is scoring 16.1 fast break points per game, the ninth-best mark in the league. The Trail Blazers are scoring 17.9 fast break points per game in their wins, compared to just 12.0 fast break points per game in losses.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Key Matchup

Terry Rozier vs. Damian Lillard

Terry Rozier has been the main engine of Charlotte’s offense this season, averaging a team-best 22.8 points per night to go along with 6.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds. After missing seven games with an ankle injury, Rozier has appeared in Charlotte’s last two contests and has looked like his typical self.

Damian Lillard has played excellent basketball this season, averaging 29.0 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per night. Lillard returned from a calf injury on Monday night against the Miami Heat, playing 35 minutes in a Trail Blazers victory. Portland is 5-1 with Lillard this season, with the lone loss coming in the game in which Lillard was injured.

Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Prediction

As mentioned, Portland has not lost a game this season in which Damian Lillard has played a fully healthy contest. The Trail Blazers have shown a knack for winning close games, as they are 5-1 in games decided by seven points or less.

The Hornets, meanwhile, have been underwhelming in close games, as they are 1-4 in games decided by eight points or less. In what could be a competitive matchup down the stretch, Portland’s penchant for winning close games will prevail once again.

170. Final. 105. 34. 98

What’s next for the Charlotte Hornets?

Thursday, November 10th – at Miami Heat (7:30 p.m. ET)

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

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