The Charlotte Hornets are set to face the Utah Jazz in a much-anticipated matchup on Saturday at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. As the Hornets embark on a five-game road trip, they come into this contest with a record of 13-25, while the Jazz sit slightly behind at 13-24. The Hornets lead the season series 1-0 after defeating the Jazz 126-103 in their first encounter on November 2.
The Hornets have struggled recently, losing two consecutive games and five of their last seven. Their most recent defeat was a narrow 114-112 loss at home to the Indiana Pacers, a game where Pascal Siakam shone for the Pacers with a game-winning layup in the final seconds. In contrast, the Jazz ended a five-game losing streak on Thursday, managing a thrilling 116-114 victory against the Dallas Mavericks, driven by a pivotal 12-0 run during the closing stages.
In terms of betting odds, BetMGM Sportsbook lists the Hornets as the favorites with a moneyline of -200, implying a fair bit of confidence in their ability to prevail. The spread is set at Hornets -5.5, suggesting a closer contest given the recent performances of both teams. The over/under for the game is pegged at 239.5 points.
Injury reports indicate key absences for both teams, with Charlotte’s Mason Plumlee ruled out and Ryan Kalkbrenner labeled as probable. The Jazz will miss Lauri Markkanen due to rest, among others, which has historically affected their performance, given their 0-5 record without him this season.
Analysts predict a tight game but lean toward the Hornets, potentially winning 121-114 based on their recent away form, where they’ve managed to secure victories against stronger teams. With a significant number of their wins being by seven points or more, betting on the Hornets to cover the spread appears to be a solid strategy. Additionally, considering that ten of the Hornets’ wins have featured a total below 240 points, backing the under on the game’s total might also provide good value.
As the teams prepare for this matchup, it paves the way for exciting basketball and a potential turning point for both squads as they navigate the second half of the season.