The Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets will battle in an Eastern conference matchup on Sunday afternoon. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Hornets-Nets prediction and pick.

The Hornets and Nets will play Sunday afternoon in what will be an entertaining matchup between the present and the future. Kevin Durant and James Harden make up the best 1-2 punch in the NBA, and it might not be close. LaMelo Ball represents one of the best and most electrifying young talents in the sport of basketball, and has infused life into the Hornets organization since they drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

Here's how the bookmakers have set the Hornets-Nets odds for this Sunday matchup.

NBA Odds: Hornets-Nets Odds

Charlote Hornets +9.5 (-114), +420 ML

Brooklyn Nets -9.5 (-106), -330 ML

Over 231.5 points (-110)

Under 231.5 points (-110)

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Why The Hornets Can Cover The Spread

LaMelo Ball has shown a knack of keeping the Hornets in games early in his career so far. The Hornets are 2-0 on the young season, and Ball is averaging 24 points, 6 rebounds and 6.5 assists on 54% shooting from the floor. While the shooting may be a bit inflated, the young star has been in command of the Hornets offense through two games and looks primed for a potential leap to All-Star status. Gordon Hayward looks healthy and is playing well, and the same goes for Miles Bridges. Kelly Oubre Jr. has been solid as well so far for the Hornets. Charlotte has the look of a very competitive team early in the 2021-22 season, so a Nets team that doesn't have the best depth will need to be on alert vs. a young and springy Hornets roster.

Why The Nets Can Cover The Spread

The Nets are loaded, but often find themselves in close games due to their lack of overall depth. They rely on Durant and Harden for quite a bit of offense, as they are one gun short right now in the absence of Kyrie Irving. That being said, no one is going to feel bad for the Nets, they are nearly double-digit favorites in this spot for a reason. Durant and Harden should be unstoppable for any opponent in their path. This is a big spread, but the Nets are always a good candidate to cover at home behind their elite offense. As they figure out their rotation early in the season, be wary of inflated spreads like this one, however.

Final Hornets-Nets Prediction & Pick

At nearly a 10-point spread, it's hard to fade a hot Hornets team, even vs. the Nets. Take Charlotte to hang in this one and make it a competitive game down the stretch vs. the Nets on Sunday afternoon in Brooklyn.

FINAL HORNETS-NETS PREDICTION & PICK: Hornets +9.5 (-114)