Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Hornets: Predictions and Odds

Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

When: 7:00 PM EST, 28 December 2018

How (TV/Radio): YES, Fox Sports Southeast – Charlotte | WFAN

Brooklyn Nets

Head Coach: Kenny Atkinson {All-Time 65-135 | BRK}

After 26 games, the Kenny Atkinson coached Brooklyn Nets sat in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-18. Since an early December win over the NBA-leading Toronto Raptors, the Brooklyn Nets reeled off nine wins out of their last ten.

Currently 17-19, the Brooklyn Nets are coming off a home double-overtime win against the Charlotte Hornets. This time around, the Hornets will be looking for revenge and be playing on their home court.

The Brooklyn Nets squeezed out a win in their last match against the Hornets. Spencer Dinwiddie had 37 points and 11 assists on 42% shooting and converting on 7-16 three-pointers. That kind of production off the bench is hard to come by, so the Nets will have to lock up defensively if they want to have a simpler night.

Charlotte Hornets

Head Coach: James Borrego {All-Time 26-37 | ORL, CHA}

The Charlotte Hornets are seventh place in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Miami Heat. After this match the Hornets won’t face a plus-.500 opponent until they meet the Denver Nuggets in the new year.

Across the board, the Charlotte Hornets had a productive night against the Brooklyn Nets. Both Jeremy Lamb and Kemba Walkers poured in 30+ points, while Marvin Williams posted an efficient triple-double.

While he was a +5 on the night, Tony Parker needs to be more productive for the Hornets to be successful. After shooting 4-14 from the field, the Hornets will hope to see Parker bounce back from an inefficient night from the field.

What’s At Stake?

Considering the relative youth of both of these franchises, the amount of meetings between these teams is quite scarce. Over a total of fifteen matches, the Charlotte Hornets lead the all-time series 10-5.

With a win, the Hornets would tie for sixth with the Detroit Pistons. Should they lose, the Nets would be won additional win away from seizing seventh from the Hornets.

The Brooklyn Nets will want to win this match in order to simultaneously move ahead of the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat. With a loss, the Nets would be just two games ahead of the Orlando Magic in tenth place.

Questions to answer

Can the Hornets stop Spencer Dinwiddie?

Can the Nets turn the Hornets over?

We are going to compare the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Dinwiddie is one of the NBA’s best off the bench

Currently averaging 18.1 points and 5.3 assists per game, Dinwiddie is one of the most dangerous weapons the Nets have and it’s coming off of the bench. Dinwiddie is a big, crafty combo-guard with the ability to create problems for any defender.

Dinwiddie is a capable isolation threat. So far this season Dinwiddie has created most of his chances alone, scoring on 70% of his field-goals unassisted.

Regardless of his scoring prowess, Dinwiddie is still a team player. In Kenny Atkinsons swing offence, exactly 50% of Dinwiddie’s three-point field-goals have been assisted, allowing for scoring equity while maintaining Dinwiddie’s creativity.

The Charlotte Hornets are ranked 1st in Turnovers

Averaging only 12 turnovers per game, James Borrego commands a well-disciplined NBA team. Considering the amount of playmaking that goes through Kemba Walker, the Hornets role players do an excellent job of maintaining the play.

Despite Charlotte’s ability to protect the ball, at nineteenth in the NBA in assists the Hornets may generate one too many possessions in isolation.

With a playmaker like Walker, it’s difficult to turn over a team like the Hornets. The Nets will have to pressure Walker and Parker greatly in order to take advantage of their less-capable handlers.

Brooklyn Nets Roster Notes

F Dzanan Musa (shoulder) is listed as day-to-day with a shoulder sublaxation.

G-F Allen Crabbe (knee) is listed as day-to-day and will not play against the Hornets.

G Caris LeVert (foot) has participated in on-court drills and is targeting a February return.

G-F Trevor Graham (hamstring) has returned to 5-on-5 work, but is still out indefinitely.

Charlotte Hornets Roster Notes

G Devonte’ Graham has been assigned to the Greensboro Swarm.

G-F Dwayne Bacon, after struggling to crack the rotation, has been assigned to the Greensboro Swarm.

Head-to-Head: D’Angelo Russell vs Kemba Walker

D’Angelo Russell

17.5 PPG | 6.2 APG | 3.8 RPG | 1.2 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.9 TOV | .414 FG% | .358 3P%

Kemba Walker

25.2 PPG | 6.2 APG | 4.4 RPG | 1.4 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 2.5 TOV | .429 FG% | .352 3P%

For the second game in a row, NBA fans will be watching a matchup between two of the Eastern Conferences most exciting point guards. Russell young and smooth, Walker experienced and explosive. It will be a prime matchup for any fan.

Kemba Walker has been having an astounding season so far. Currently ranked twelfth in the NBA in scoring, Walker is one of the most dangerous threats in the league. Unfortunately, his success hasn’t translated into consistent wins for the Hornets.

D’Angelo Russell, while incredibly promising, is still prone to fits of inconsistency. Tricky with the handle and able to shoot from anywhere on the court, Russell can be a danger against any check. After a less than stellar showing in their last matchup, expect a more concerted effort from Russell to lead his team.

Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets Predictions and Odds

The oddsmakers have the Charlotte Hornets favoured over the Brooklyn Nets by 4.5, with an over/under of 110.