Free Pick: Hornets vs. Nuggets Odds
Looking for Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets Free NBA predictions? NBA betting sees the Hornets taking on the Nuggets on 1/18 at Ball Arena in Denver. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups all season long, so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA predictions like this Hornets Nuggets free pick.
2026 NBA Handicapping – Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets
(15-27) Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets (29-13)
Date: Jan 18, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
NBA Moneyline Odds: Hornets +102| Nuggets -115 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Hornets +1.5| Nuggets -1.5
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 228.5
Here’s why I’m taking the favored Denver in my Hornets Nuggets free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
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Hornets vs. Nuggets Gameday
Sunday serves up six matches on the hardwood, including the Charlotte Hornets on the road to face the Denver Nuggets.
Both clubs are completing back-to-back sets, having played on Saturday. Charlotte lost 116-136 to the Golden State Warriors. Four players scored in double figures, led by Bradon Miller, who offered 19 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Kon Knueppel had a relatively quiet game for him with nine points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, undermanned Denver beat the Washington Wizards 121-115. Just three Nuggets registered double-digit scoring, led by Jamal Murray, who dropped 42 points and six assists, while Peyton Watson added 21 points, and Aaron Gordon just missed a triple-double with eight points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
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Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets Odds & Last 5
Head-to-head, the Nuggets have owned the Hornets, taking both matches last season and owning a current eight-game win streak, including the earlier meeting this season.
Charlotte is 2-3 through their last five matches and arrive to this point in the season with the 12th seed in the East with a 15-27 record. After today, the Hornets will play nine of their next 14 matches at home.
Denver is on a four-game winning streak and has been feasting, taking six of their last seven matches. They sit in the third seed in the West with a 29-13 record with essentially an identical record to the second-seeded Spurs.
Denver is favored by 1.5 points with an over/under of 228.5 points.
Hornets Stats
With 42 games in the well, Charlotte ranks 10th offensively (116.7), 24th defensively (117.0), and 16th in net rating (-0.4), running a pace of 99.26, which ranks 23rd overall.
The East’s 12th-place Hornets average 116.6 points per game while their opponents average 117.1 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Charlotte averages 26.6 (13th) and 45.4 (7th), respectively.
Charlotte’s team leaders are LaMelo Ball for scoring (20.2 points), assists (7.6) and steals (1.1), Moussa Diabaté for rebounds (8.4), and Ryan Kalkbrenner for blocks (1.6).
Perimeter shooting is a strength for the Hornets, who have eight* players shooting 36% or better while the team shoots an average of 37.3%.
*minimum 10 games played
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Nuggets Stats
Denver ranks first offensively (122.1) and 22nd defensively (116.6) while holding the fifth-best net rating (+5.5) and ranks 22nd in pace (99.44).
The West’s third seed averages 122.5 points per game while its opponents average 117.2 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Denver averages 28.4 (eighth) and 42.9 (23rd), respectively.
Team leaders* in key categories are Nikola Jokic for scoring (29.6), **rebounding (12.2), assists (11.0), and steals (1.4), while Peyton Watson leads in blocks (1.0).
As for perimeter efficiency, the Nuggets as a team shoot 40.3% (1st in NBA) with nine players shooting over 39.1% and eight of those shooting 40.9% and above!
*Minimum 10 games played
**leads the NBA
Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets bottom line:
When Nikola Jokic went down with a hyper-extended leg, the thinking was that if the Nuggets could stay above the play-in berths, the team would be happy.
Flash forward to today, and they are on the precipice of moving up to the second seed, and more importantly, Jokic is ahead of schedule in his recovery.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets Basketball Betting Trends
- Charlotte is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte’s last 5 games.
- Charlotte is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games.
- Also, Denver is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Denver’s last 9 games against Charlotte.
- Additionally, Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Hornets Nuggets Free Pick: Bucks -2.5
Here is my Bucks Nuggets free pick.
The Nuggets are gaining invaluable experience with their big man out, specifically learning how to win without him. That should translate to Denver being even stronger when he returns.
Peyton Watson has taken a huge step forward during Jokic’s absence which will bode well upon his return.
Charlotte is the odd team that looks like a bona fide playoff team one night and then a tanking squad the next. If they can take the back half of the season to learn how to play consistently, it will go a long way to improving their future direction.
Assuming Jokic returns near his expected date (February 1st) he would come back to face the Thunder and right before an intense portion of the Nuggets schedule.
Denver will go for their fifth win in a row on Sunday, and I’m rolling with them to accomplish that feat. Take the Nuggets to win and cover.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
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NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
How it feels to be a Denver Nuggets fan pic.twitter.com/jkLz4V6W4m
— Ethical Hoops🏆 (only takes Ws) (@EthicalHoopz) January 18, 2026
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