Spread & Over/Under Predictions for Hornets vs Bulls
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: Bulls -7.5
Injuries remain the story of the season for the Hornets as Terry Rozier has joined LaMelo Ball and Cody Martin as players ruled out for the recent string of games. Given that there are only a handful of games remaining in the season, it is obvious to wonder if we have seen the last of Rozier during this forgettable season for Charlotte. Dennis Smith Jr, Kelly Oubre, and Gordon Hayward are all questionable at the time of this writing with their own injuries they are dealing with. Chicago will be without Lonzo Ball as they have been all season and Alex Caruso and Andre Drummond are questionable.
At the beginning of the season, you could have circled this game on the calendar as one that would have huge playoff/play-in implications based on preseason expectations. Chicago was probably thought to be in the four-seven seed range while Charlotte was expected to be battling for the final few seeds in the play-in tournament. We know that Charlotte's season got away from them pretty early on due to injuries mostly, but Chicago remains in a battle to lock up a spot in the play-in. They currently hold the 10th seed in the East and have a two-game cushion on the Wizards who sit in 11th. They are also two games behind the Toronto Raptors to jump up to ninth. This late in the season, each game is crucial for the Bulls as they look to hold down their current spot to give them a chance at making it into the playoffs.
This game serves as a great opportunity for Charlotte to play spoiler. They recently achieved that goal by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in back-to-back games last weekend to seriously hurt their playoff chances, and they look to deliver that same blow to Chicago. We know Charlotte can't move into the playoffs at this point, but these games do serve as valuable opportunities for their young players to develop and gain real NBA experience against teams who are still fighting. JT Thor has been the most notable player to take these opportunities and really start to show what he can do with an expanded role.
Charlotte is coming into this one winners of three in a row while Chicago has dropped their last two. Ultimately, I think the Bulls get it done in a close one as they are just the more desperate team. Charlotte has proved to be pesky of late and will put up a great fight but fall just short. Four-star play on the Hornets +7.5.
Over/Under: 225.5
Charlotte exploded on offense Tuesday night against Oklahoma City, thanks to PJ Washington's best offensive game of his career. He is really starting to show a complete offensive scoring package that every team should find extremely valuable. Even if he has a repeat performance, I just can't see the Hornets putting up 137 points again. They are missing too many key players including their starting backcourt. If any combination of Smith Jr, Oubre, and Hayward sit out, I really struggle to see how Charlotte can be that efficient on offense again. Pair that with how well their defense has been playing with Mark Williams in the lineup, and I have to say play the under.
Don't be surprised if PJ Washington wills this team to another solid performance, but I have to take a three-star play on the under.
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