Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers: Odds, Injury Report, Prediction

Nov 9, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Josh Hart (11) looks to pass against Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Josh Hart (11) looks to pass against Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) in the second half at Spectrum Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 105-95. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets make their annual trip to the Rose City as they get set to square off with the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.

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

Point spread: Trail Blazers -5.5

Money line: Trail Blazers -215/Hornets + 180

Over/under: 237

Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers: Injury Report

Hornets: Cody Martin (left knee procedure) and Nick Richards (right ankle sprain) are OUT. Dennis Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain) is QUESTIONABLE.

Trail Blazers: Nassir Little (right hip), Gary Payton II (abdomen), and Justice Winslow (left ankle sprain) are OUT. Josh Hart (left ankle sprain) and Jusuf Nurkic (right calf soreness) are PROBABLE.

Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers: Key Statistic

Three-point shooting

Portland is shooting 38.5% from three-point range as a team this season, the third-best mark in the league. Meanwhile, Charlotte is shooting just 32.6% from three-point range as a team, the worst mark in the league.

Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers: Key Matchup

LaMelo Ball vs. Damian Lillard

LaMelo Ball has quickly shown how dearly he was missed since returning from his ankle injury, averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in six games since his return. Ball has averaged 28.0 points per game in three careers contests against the Trail Blazers, his highest scoring average against any team.

Now in his 11th NBA season, Damian Lillard continues to light up the scoreboard with his array of offensive moves. For the season, Lillard is averaging 28.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 39.1% from three-point range. He posted 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in the first matchup between the Trail Blazers and the Hornets this season.

Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers: Prediction

Charlotte has won two of their last three games including a nailbiter against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, Portland has dropped two in a row and four of its last five overall. However, the Trail Blazers still have plenty of offensive firepower, and that firepower should have little trouble putting up points against a Hornets squad that struggles to defend.

What is next for the Charlotte Hornets?

Tuesday, December 27th – at Golden State Warriors (10:00 p.m. ET)

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