Alex Hunter breaks down his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Suns and Hornets.
The Suns are hosting the Hornets on Sunday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Charlotte is favored by 4.5 points, and this game carries a total of O/U 217.5 points.
Let’s dive into my preview and pick for the game.
Phoenix Suns vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview
The Suns have exceeded expectations this season, but things have been rocky for the team following the All-Star break with a 4-4 record and ranking 21st in net rating. Devin Booker (hip) and Jalen Green (hamstring) are both healthy again, but Dillon Brooks (hand) remains out, as this trio has only played five games together this season.
Phoenix is only 6-7 with Brooks inactive, and while the club has won two of its last three, these victories came against the Kings and the Pelicans, two of the Western Conference’s bottom-three teams. Jammed in between these wins is a discouraging two-point home loss to the Bulls, who have won just twice since the start of February.
While Booker and Green can put up big numbers scoring-wise, the Suns lack toughness on both ends of the floor with Brooks missing. Phoenix has been great at home this season with a 21-13 record, but this will be a tough test for the team with the Hornets in town.
Charlotte is coming off a loss to the Heat, but the club had won six in a row by at least 16 points before this. In the new year, the Hornets are 21-10, and they lead the NBA in net rating. Additionally, Charlotte ranks top-six in both offensive and defensive rating, and the team leads the league in rebound rate over this time. Impressively, the Hornets have won eight straight on the road, including blowout wins over both the Rockets and Celtics.
LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel have become a great scoring trio, and Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate and Coby White have all played well in secondary roles. Charlotte is all of a sudden one of the NBA’s most balanced teams, and given the club’s elite success on the road recently, the Hornets should be a confident group tonight, despite coming off a loss.
Suns vs. Hornets Pick, Best Bet
After losing to the Heat on Friday, the Hornets should get a bounce-back win in Phoenix tonight and cover this 4.5-point spread.
Charlotte is a league-best 40-24 ATS this season, and the club is 13-2 ATS in its last 15. The Hornets didn’t cover in their loss to the Heat on Friday, but they haven’t failed to cover in back-to-back games since early December.
Best Bet: Hornets -4.5 (-112)