Basketball / NBA
19/03/2025 – 00:00
Charlotte Hornets
VS
Atlanta Hawks
Last update: 19/03/2025 00:27
On Tuesday, 03/18, the Charlotte Hornets (17-50) will host the Atlanta Hawks(32-36) in an Eastern Conference Regular-Season match-up. The Hornets have been stuck at the 14th place in the conference while the Hawks have a weak hold on the seventh spot. Will the Hornets turn the table on the favorite Hawks here? Read about the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
- Time: 7:00 PM (ET)
- Venue: Spectrum Center (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- Where to watch: This game can be viewed on the NBA League Pass.
Hornets: A sinking ship as always
The Charlotte Hornets will come into this game after a 35-point loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. It was their fourth 30+ point loss within a month. During the last 15 games, they have produced just 104 points per game on 42% shooting clip, the worst output in the league by far. LaMelo Ball has lost the steam he had early in the season, sophomore Brandon Miller got injured after 27 games, which immensely affected their performances too. Miles Bridges has been decent, but overall, the Hornets neither have the experience nor the heft to be even a Play-in tournament squad.
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: LaMelo Ball | SG: DaQuan Jeffries | SG/SF: Josh Green | SF/PF: Miles Bridges | C: Mark Williams
Key Injuries/Updates: Brandon Miller is OUT for the season
Hawks: Inconsistency is their identity
The Atlanta Hawks will come into this affair after an 8-point loss against the Brooklyn Nets despite a 28-point, 12-assist outburst by Trae Young. They have now lost two in a row, souring the taste of a four-game winning streak just before that. Their season derailed in the third week of January when they suffered an 8-game losing streak. Apart from that, they have suffered multiple three-game losing streaks, undermining their multiple three-game(Or more) winning streaks. Their defense has been an Achilles Heel like previous years, as the squad has conceded 119.6 PPG(4th worst), largely because of a poor perimeter defense. As excellent as Young is on the offensive end, carrying the major load affects him on defense as the team has allowed 14.2 triples per game(5th worst). Are the Hawks heading for another first-round exit?
Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Trae Young | SG: Dyson Daniels | SF: Mouhamed Guaye | PF: Zaccharie Risacher | C: Onyeka Okongwu
Key Injuries/Updates: The status of Clint Capela and Caris LeVert is UNCLEAR. Larry Nance can be OUT till the end of March. Jalen Jonhson and Kobe Bufkin are OUT for the season.
The Hornets have given up 120+ points in three straight games but they have hit the mark just once, scoring 110 or fewer in two other games. Meanwhile, the Hawks have also given points in similar range, but are able to stitch together 120+ more often. This could be a high-scorer but the Hornets are too inconsistent on the offensive end to go for a big scoring effort. Still, I expect them to go past the 115, while the Hawks will be around 125.
Projected Predictions:
- Total Over 236.5 for +120 at BetMGM
- Hornets: Points Over 113.5 for +100 at BetMGM
- Hawks: Points Over 124.5 for +154 at BetMGM
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LaMelo Ball to score over 24.5 points: The Hornets guard has gone through a slump, accumulating around just 15 PPG, and 21 PPG this month thus far, way below his season output of 25.4 PPG. I expect him to go past his season average here considering he scored 25 against the Hawks during their last meeting.
Mark Williams to grab over 13.5 rebounds: The Hornets center has accumulated 11.7 rebounds per game in March, above his season average of 10.1 RPG. He had 14 rebounds in the last meeting against the Hawks and I expect a similar return here.
Trae Young to score over 28.5 points: The Hawks Floor General has tallied 25.4 PPG in March, compared to his season average of 24 PPG. He scored 35 points in the last meeting against the Hornets and I believe he can get more than 30 again.
Dyson Daniels to clinch over 3.5 steals: The guard has racked up 3 pickpockets per game this season. He has managed 4 or more steals in three of the last five games and may repeat such heroics.
The Hawks have done a terrific job on the offensive end throughout the season, but their defense has been suspect. Meanwhile, the Hornets are a trainwreck on both ends at this point. But they may feel some confidence at home against a team that can often concede advantages. However, I see Young turning on the jets here and enabling his team to grab a 8+ points win.
Safe Spread Pick: Hawks -9.5 for +110 at BetMGM
Photo Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images
