Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Hornets NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Hornets on Friday, October 21st, 2022 at Spectrum Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pelicans-Hornets matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(1-0) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets (1-0)
Date: Friday, October 21st
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Spectrum Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans -222 | Hornets +155 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Pelicans -5.5
NBA Betting Total: OFF
Friday, October 21st the New Orleans Pelicans play the Charlotte Hornets for the first time this season. Both clubs played on Wednesday with the Hornets pounding the San Antonio Spurs (129-102) and the Pelicans thrashing the Brooklyn Nets (130-108).
New Orleans hinted at their potential in preseason play posting a 4-1 record while the Hornets were winless but lucked into playing the tanking Spurs to open their season.
Last season, the squads played twice with the Hornets winning both contests. The Pelicans hold the all-time record having bested the Hornets in 23 of their 35 matches.
New Orleans Pelicans
Pelicans fans have experienced more lows than highs since drafting Zion Williamson in the summer of 2019. The youngster was earmarked as the next LeBron, struggled to find proper conditioning, and dealt with a myriad of injuries leading to him missing the entirety of 2021-22.
He’s back and healthy to begin his fourth season and the Pelicans who finished last season on a terror including giving the Suns a scare in Round 1 opened their season Wednesday in spectacular fashion.
Williamson delivered a near double-double of 25 points and nine rebounds along with three assists and four steals. All five Pelican starters were in the positive of plus/minus with Zion the lowest (+13) and sophomore Herb Jones topping the group with +34.
Jonas Valanciunas did register a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds while Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum offered 28 and 21 points respectively.
The Pelicans jumped on the Nets from the tip getting building an 18-point lead by the end of the first quarter (32-14) which waned to eight points by the half (58-50). The Pels put the game away in the third with a 40-28 frame rolling easily to the victory.
New Orleans shot 49% from the field (50-102) and 46.2% from the perimeter (12-26). The Pels absolutely dominated the glass (61-39) grabbing 21 offensive boards (Brooklyn had nine) and outscored the Nets 62-46 in the paint.
Jaxon Hayes (elbow) is questionable for Friday while Kira Lewis Jr. (knee) and E.J. Liddell (knee) are out.
Charlotte Hornets
While most analysts (raises hand) have the Hornets in the tanking tier of teams someone forgot to tell them as collected their first win by thrashing the Spurs in their home opener.
The most surprising part of the victory was Charlotte superstar LaMelo Ball wasn’t in the lineup dealing with a sprained ankle.
Terry Rozier stepped up in his absence as the top scorer with 24 points. Seven Hornets scored in double-figures shooting 51.1% (48-94) and 44.8% (13-29) from the perimeter.
Ball (ankle) remains questionable for Friday.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Pelicans are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 road games.
- The Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Over is 5-1 in the Pelicans’ last 6 overall.
- Under is 4-0 in the Hornets’ last 4 home games.
- Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings between the clubs.
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets NBA Prediction:
Despite the Hornets’ winning margin of 27 points a closer look at the individual categories shows the game was closer than at first glance.
The key to Charlotte’s success was the perimeter where they were plus 18 but it’s equally easy to see how this club will be in trouble versus the elite since they still aren’t committed to playing defense.
With that in mind, this Pelicans club will be a true test for the Hornets even if Ball is back in the lineup.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Pelicans ATS
If you’re looking for more NBA picks like this New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Hornets matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!
