7:06 pm
December 29

Hornets @ Wizards

Who will WIN this matchup?

Charlotte Hornets (17-17)

@ Washington Wizards (13-23)

 

Current odds:

Charlotte Hornets: (-125)

Washington Wizards: (+105)

 

• The line for this game is Hornets by 1.5 points.

• The banged-up Washington Wizards will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they continue a homestand against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Playing without point guard John Wall (heel), forward Otto Porter (knee) and forward Markieff Morris (neck), the Wizards fell 101-92 to the Chicago Bulls to begin the three-game stay at home Friday night. Bradley Beal scored 34 points while his teammates shot 36.2 percent from the floor as Washington fell 10 games below .500 for the first time this season.

• The Hornets had more than enough to win Friday at home against Brooklyn, starting fast en route to a 100-87 triumph. Kemba Walker scored 29 points and is averaging 27.4 on 50 percent shooting over his last five games.

• While Walker shouldered the bulk of the load in Friday’s win, veteran reserve Tony Parker helped get the team to the finish line with 17 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. “I always loved pressure moments,” Parker told reporters of his play down the stretch. “That’s how you win championships, that’s what people remember. Big games, big shots, performances. I like to be in that situation.” Jeremy Lamb also finished with 19 points and has 50 over his last two games.

• Wall has been bothered by heel issues for years, according to coach Scott Brooks, and will see a specialist to determine the severity of the latest flare-up. Tomas Satoransky started in his place Friday night and finished with nine points in 39 minutes. Washington, which entered the game ranked 29th in the NBA with a 32.8 percent mark from 3-point range, was 9-of-30 from beyond the arc against the Bulls and is 27-of-98 during its three-game losing streak.

• Parker is expected to sit out Saturday’s game to rest.

• Hornets PF Marvin Williams is 3-for-16 from 3-point distance over his last three games after making 7-of-11 in a win over Detroit on Dec. 21.

• Charlotte went 3-1 against Washington last season and averaged 128 points in its three victories.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Charlotte Hornets
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