Nets vs Hornets Odds, Spread & Picks

• Brooklyn tries to break 4-game losing streak as they visit the Hornets
• Charlotte has won two straight, and are the highest scoring team in the NBA
• Find the odds, betting analysis, and prediction below

The Charlotte Hornets were expected to be battling at the fringes of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Their opponent Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets, were not expected anywhere near there.

And here we are: both teams sit with identical 32-33 records, Charlotte holding the current 8-seed ahead of the 9th-seeded Nets by virtue of a head-to-head win earlier this season.

While Kevin Durant has looked business as usual, so have the recent results. Brooklyn has dropped two straight since KD’s return, while the Hornets are riding a two-game win streak. However, they’ve dropped 11 of 15 overall, likely why the visitors posted as 2.5-point favorites in this one.

Nets vs Hornets Odds

Odds as of Mar 7 at BetMGM

Both teams are trying to stay above that 10-line, where the Washington Wizards are trying to pull into, two games back of the field.

This one tips off from the Spectrum Center at 7pm ET, and can be seen live on NBA League Pass.

Brooklyn Nets Betting Analysis

The Nets missing the playoffs is a real possibility. There’s also a legit chance they could win the title, as evidenced by their top-4 status in the latest 2022 NBA Championship odds.

First, they’ll need to start stacking W’s, which haven’t come easy lately. Brooklyn has won just three times in their last 20 outings to tumble into ninth in the East.

Jayson Tatum’s 54 point game against Kevin Durant was a masterpiece 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kHexUU0m7k

— Celtics Junkies (@Celtics_Junkies) March 7, 2022

Last time out, they couldn’t contain Jayson Tatum, who erupted for 54 as the Celtics beat the Nets 126-120. During this latest 4-game slide, Brooklyn hasn’t been able to get it done defensively, surrendering a whopping 120.3 points per game.

Durant did all he could to match Tatum Sunday, pouring in a team-high 37, to go along with six rebounds and eight assists. Kyrie Irving chipped in with 19 points and six dimes. LaMarcus Aldridge (14) and Bruce Brown (16) were the only other players able to crack double digits for BK.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant are 10-13 games in which they’ve played together (not including games with James Harden).

The #Nets are 32-33 this season and are tied for the 10 seed #YIKESKYRIE
pic.twitter.com/EozYB183Rc

— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) March 7, 2022

It’s still going to be a while for this team to be whole. Ben Simmons, the centerpiece of that James Harden deal, is dealing with a back injury and is out at least another 10 days.

Aldridge will miss Tuesday with a hip injury, while Cam Thomas will be a game-time decision with a bad back. Joe Harris has already been shut down for the year with an ankle injury.

Charlotte Hornets Betting Analysis

Is there a team more fun and gun than the Hornets?

They are currently tied for the NBA lead in scoring with the Minnesota Timberwolves, pumping out 114.3 points a night. It’s a lot of fun getting there too, as the Bugs are second in the league in assists, doling out 27.3 per game. That’s keeping them in the odds to make the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Can we talk about LaMelo Ball’s handles in these recent games? 😳👀 pic.twitter.com/U0L1nASjQ9

— MeloHive 🛸💕 (@Meloleague) March 6, 2022

Unfortunately, they’re a disaster on the other end of the floor, surrendering 114.6 per game, which is the third-worst mark in the league. Part of that comes from their poor rebounding, allowing the second most boards per game in the league, which explains why they lead the NBA in second chance points allowed.

It looks good when they outscore their problems, however, like the did last time out against the Spurs in a 123-117 triumph. Terry Rozier led the way with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists, part of an attack that featured seven of the nine players in uniform scoring in double-digits.

TERRY ROZIER WITH NO MERCY FOR THE RIM 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fL3TMtytHm

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 8, 2022

All-star LaMelo Ball chipped in with 24 points, eight rebounds and seven dimes, as the Hornets drilled 16-of-42 from deep, a tidy 38.1% clip.

They are down bodies too: Gordon Hayward (ankle) and James Bouknight (neck) are both out, while Jalen McDaniels (ankle) is a game-time decision.

Nets vs Hornets Prediction

This is the second of a three-game season series. It’s almost unfair to recap the last matchup, as so much has happened since a Charlotte 111-95 win on October 24. However, Durant did drop a team-high 38 in the loss.

Kevin Durant is offended by the Hornets’ all-teal jerseys so he’s getting all sorts of buckets 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uRtwIIeETw

— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) October 24, 2021

Despite Brooklyn’s struggles, they are a surprising 4-0-2 against the spread in their last six on the road. Contrast that to Charlotte, who despite a 17-13-1 ATS mark overall at home, are just 2-7-1 ATS in the last 10 at Spectrum.

With two teams struggling defensively, it makes sense to take the over, only the total is a massive 240.5. Instead, look for Kevin Durant to lift the Nets to a much-needed W. Brooklyn has only lost three in a row with Durant in the lineup once this season.

The pick: Nets ML (-140)