As part of an eight-game schedule in the NBA on Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets will face one another (7:10 PM ET on December 15th, 2023). The Hornets, who will host the game, are underdogs at +6.5 (bet365). However, New Orleans has not been a good road team this season. They enter the game with just a 5-7 record as visitors. My Pelicans vs Hornets prediction is that the Hornets will win, at least with the help of their moderate handicap. Also, I think Jonas Valanciunas will have a double-double in the game.
NBA Matchup: Pelicans vs Hornets
Away: New Orleans Pelicans
Home: Charlotte Hornets
Game time: Friday, December 15th, 2023 @ 7:10 PM ET
New Orleans vs Charlotte Prediction: Latest NBA News
The Pelicans played twice this week already. On Wednesday, they defeated the Washington Wizards 142-122. Previously, New Orleans beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-107. That represents a very good week for the team so far.
While the Wizards are not a strong team, the Pelicans did put up a healthy spread on the road. Meanwhile, the win over Minnesota was a win over the top team in the NBA at the time. New Orleans has only had one particularly bad game in the last month, that being the semifinal loss to the LA Lakers in the in-season tournament. However, they still have a lot to prove on the road this season.
New Orleans Pelicans: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 4 – 6 heading into Nov 14th, 2023
Currently: 14 – 11 (overall)
Recent form: 10 – 5 since Nov 14th, 2023
Recent winning rate: .667
The chart above shows that the Pelicans have been on an uptick lately. They enter Friday as winners of 10 of their last 15 games. But the team does carry an injury into Friday that bettors will have to keep tabs on for game-day updates. Zion Williamson has an ankle injury and that makes him questionable.
It is the kind of injury where the betting action could hinge one way or another based on the game-day updates. Williamson did not play against Washington earlier this week so that he could miss on Friday has to be taken seriously. Given his injury history and the fact that New Orleans won by 20 without him on Wednesday, I think bettors should lean toward “doubtful” with Williamson, but updates are pending.
Double-check for playing status updates with New Orleans (00:55 ET time of writing):: Team’s Depth Chart
The Charlotte Hornets played on Monday and Wednesday this week as well. They lost both games to the Miami Heat, going -13 on net differential in the two games combined. Terry Rozier was the team’s high scorer in both games with 34 and 28 respectively. Charlotte enters Friday’s game 7-15 overall this season, having never really had a prolonged stretch yet where they were able to send out all of their premium starters.
On that matter, Mark Williams is doubtful for the game, the team’s starting center. He is an important player for the Hornets. Power forward, PJ Washington is questionable for the game, a backup player in the low block.
Double-check status updates Charlotte (00:55 ET time of writing):: Team’s Depth Chart
Pelicans vs Hornets Prediction: Betting Tips
With Williamson and Williams carrying injuries into the day, you would expect Jonas Valanciunas to be a big player in this upcoming game. The 6’11” center is averaging nearly a double-double for points and rebounds so far this season. He is also an adept finisher with a field-goal percentage of 56.2% so far this season. He has double-doubles in five of his last six games.
At -210 to have a double-double on Friday, you would be taking that betting line as long as neither Williamson nor Williams is upgraded (bet365). When it comes to player props, bettors need to understand that teammates are the competition. If Williamson plays in this game, he will take some rebounds away from Valanciunas in all likelihood and that could hurt Valanciunas’ double-double prospects a little. New Orleans as a team won’t be worse off but player-prop bets are a different perspective.
For the main markets, the handicap on Charlotte is sufficient. There is plenty of reason to be skeptical of New Orleans on the road. While Charlotte cannot be happy about maybe losing Williams, both Rozier and Miles Bridges are still a good one-two punch. Furthermore, Nick Richards is a capable backup center. Charlotte won’t be that bad on Friday. +6.5 handicap points would have been enough in all five of their most recent home games, including against Minnesota — who is a much better team than New Orleans.
Featured: NBA Christmas Day Schedule
