Free NBA Pick: Hornets vs. Nuggets NBA Odds
Looking for Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets free NBA picks & NBA Odds? NBA betting sees the Hornets taking on the Nuggets on Thursday, December 23rd at Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Hornets Nuggets matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(16-17) Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets (15-15)
Date: Thursday, December 23rd
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hornets +160 | Nuggets -161 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Nuggets -3
NBA Betting Total: 229
Thursday, December 23rd finds the Charlotte Hornets tipping off versus the Denver Nuggets in their first meeting of the season. The teams will play in Charlotte on March 28th.
This is the second game of a back-to-back set for Denver who lost 98-104 to the Thunder on Wednesday while the Hornets last played Monday in Utah in a 102-112 loss to the Jazz.
Charlotte Hornets
Miles Bridges (21 points, 11 rebounds, plus four assists) and LaMelo Ball (21 points 11 assists plus six rebounds) both delivered double-double efforts but fell short versus the Jazz.
Terry Rozier had one of his best performances since returning from missing four games with 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Jalen McDaniels was the only other Hornet to reach double-figure scoring with 14 points. While James Borrego’s charges threw plenty of zone defenses at the Jazz they found a way to score.
Even though Charlotte pulled down 51 rebounds, the Jazz still won the glass with 68 boards completely smothering the Hornets on the offensive glass (22 to 11).
Ultimately the Hornets fell prey to their own terrible habit of slow starts losing the opening frame 16-35 forcing them to use extra energy to get back in the match and not have enough left in the tank to close the game.
Cody Martin remains in quarantine while Gordon Hayward is questionable suffering from back spasms.
Denver Nuggets
Perhaps the wear and tear on Nikola Jokic is taking a toll. He posted a solid line of 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks versus OKC but unfortunately the Nuggets need him to be MVP-like to win games or get more help from his teammates.
The fact Jokic was the high scorer versus the Thunder highlights the issue. The trio of Aaron Gordon (12), Austin Rivers (12) and Monte Morris (10) were the only other double-figure scorers.
Granted, Michael Malone kept all his starters to 25 minutes knowing they had a match Thursday and once OKC built a big lead he might have prematurely raised the white flag. Then again, the Thunder have shown tenacity in closing games so it might’ve been the best decision.
The Nuggets have only one (active) player (Bol Bol) in quarantine along with Michael Porter Jr. who was already out due to having back surgery.
The good news is the players who were nursing minor injuries are all back though Markus Howard (knee) will miss six weeks and Jamal Murray (ACL) timeline hasn’t been confirmed but is presumed to be around February.
PJ Dozier (ACL) and Porter Jr. (back surgery) are expected to miss the rest of the season.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The total has gone OVER in 13 of Denver’s last 15 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Charlotte’s last 13 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver’s last 6 games at home.
Free Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Prediction
Both teams are fighting through fatigue with the Nuggets 5-5 in their last 10 while the Hornets are 3-9, albeit partially tied to the team getting stung by COVID recently. Charlotte has more weapons but Denver has the best player and superior defense.
The miscellaneous categories will be the x-factor with Charlotte dominating offensively scoring 18.8 points off turnovers (6th), 14.9 on the fast break (5th), and 49.5 points in the paint (5th).
Whereas the Nuggets will make their impact in defensively and in particular on the glass. Although they aren’t a team who feasts in the rebounding categories they also don’t allow opponents second chance scoring opportunities limiting them to 10.7 (ranks first).
The Hornets will throw zone defenses at Denver and Jokic will pick them apart so James Borrego needs to consider alternatives while Joker needs Will Barton and Monte Morris to raise their scoring to make his night easier.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Nuggets -3
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