Spread & Over/Under Predictions for Hornets vs. Mavericks

Can the Hornets cover the spread?

Apr 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (23) / Scott Kinser-USA TODAY Sports

Each game day, we at All Hornets will release an article on our thoughts on the spread and the over/under of Charlotte Hornets games. The star ratings next to the play describe the overall confidence in that particular play.

Star ratings:

1 Star - Not very confident

2 Star - A little confident

3 Star - Fairly confident

4 Star - Very confident

5 Star - Should be a lock to happen

Spread: Mavericks -13 

2 Star play on the Mavericks -13: After opening as low as -9.5 point favorites, the public has betted Dallas all the way up to -13. Almost everyone is down on the Hornets these days, including Steve Clifford, who recently announced that he would be stepping down as HC at the end of the season. 

The Mavs are one of the best road teams in the league this year. With a 25-13 ATS record as an away team, the dynamic duo of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic should prove to be too much for this depleted Hornets team. It’s also worth noting that there are only two games standing between the Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers for the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings. I like a motivated Dallas team to take care of business by boat racing a lackluster Hornets offense. 

Over/Under 223: Over 223

3 Star play on Over 223: Just like the spread, this number has climbed a considerable amount, but it remains playable. The Hornets have a perfectly balanced 39-39 O/U record so far this season, and have now managed to score 118 and 124 in their last two games. While the Mavericks do hit the under at a 54.6% rate, it’s worth relying on either Luka or Kyrie to score an extra basket or two, as the Hornets have allowed 116 points per game this season. The over appears to be the best play on the board unless you’re willing to eat the points with Dallas and the -13 spread. Regardless of what the Hornets do offensively, the Mavs will score more than enough points as they look to secure an easy win tonight.