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The Portland Trail Blazers and Charlotte Hornets will play in an inter-conference matchup on Sunday. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Blazers-Hornets prediction and pick.
The Blazers and Hornets have each started the season pretty well, with each side sitting above .500 heading into Sunday's contest. The Hornets are 4-2 and look like a potential sleeper for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Blazers have won two straight and appear to be finding themselves after and up-and-down first handful of games. This will be a fun matchup of guards, as LaMelo Ball is set to face Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Portland looks to make it three straight wins after a couple of wins earlier in the week, while the Hornets will look to get back into the win column after losing to the Heat on Friday night.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the Blazers-Hornets odds for this Sunday matchup.
NBA Odds: Blazers-Hornets Odds
Portland Trail Blazers -2 (-106), -126 ML
Charlotte Hornets +2 (-114), +106 ML
Over 230.5 points (-112)
Under 230.5 points (-108)
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Why The Blazers Can Cover The Spread
Both of these teams like to push the pace, so Lillard and McCollum might both be in store for big games on Sunday. The Hornets fly up and down the floor with LaMelo Ball, and they give up their fair share of points themselves. After a 3-0 start, the Hornets have lost two of three, with the win being vs. the Orlando Magic. Portland is looking to extend their winning streak to three games after beating the Los Angeles Clippers Friday evening. Lillard seems to be finding his rhythm, as it has been McCollum who leads the Blazers in scoring through five games. The Blazers are a little deeper and better than the Hornets overall still at this point it seems, so they are not a bad play at all to cover and win in Charlotte.
Why The Hornets Can Cover The Spread
The Hornets have been one of the pleasant surprises of the early season, as they appear to be improved. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are terrifying for opponents in transition, as Bridges appears to have unlocked himself, averaging 25.5 points per game through six games for the Hornets. Portland will be a tough cover as well, as Lillard and McCollum still make for one of the deadliest backcourt pairings in the entire NBA. Still, the Hornets have looked the part of a good NBA for much of this young season, so it's not difficult at all to project them winning at home on Sunday evening. Terry Rozier is probable for the Hornets, if he were unable to go for any reason that would be huge. Rozier will likely spend time guarding both Lillard and McCollum if he's able to go on Sunday.
Final Blazers-Hornets Prediction & Pick
The Hornets and Blazers can both light up the scoreboard offensively. Take the over, as this could be a high-scoring affair that comes down to the wire in Charlotte on Sunday. The two sides will need to reach 231 points to hit the over, but it's still a better play than fading either of these teams in what is a pretty even matchup all things considered.
FINAL BLAZERS-HORNETS PREDICTION & PICK: Over 230.5 points
