Warriors vs Hornets Picks & Player Props to Bet Today (Dec 31)

• ATS betting trends strongly favor the underdog Hornets over the Warriors on Wednesday afternoon
• All signs point to a shootout that surpasses the 234.5-point total
• See my top Warriors vs Hornets picks and player props to target on Dec 31

The Golden State Warriors (17-16, 7-12 away, 16-17 ATS, 20-13 O/U) visit the Charlotte Hornets (11-21, 7-9 home, 17-15 ATS, 12-20 O/U) on Wednesday afternoon, positioned as sizable road favorites despite an ugly record away from home this season.

Action tips off from the Spectrum Center on December 31 at 1:00 pm ET, with broadcasts available on FDSSE, NBCS-BA, and nationally on NBA TV. This preview will dive deep into the key statistics, player matchups, and betting lines to help you find the best Warriors vs Hornets picks and player props to target.

Jump to: PICKS || PLAYER PROPS || INJURIES || CLOSING ODDS

Warriors vs Hornets Prediction & Expert Picks

GS vs CHA ATS Pick: Hornets +7.5 (-115) at BetMGM

While Golden State enters as a heavy -270 moneyline favorite, the betting value in this matchup lies with the home underdog. The Warriors have struggled to cover on the road, posting a 1-3 against-the-spread record in their last four away games. Conversely, the Hornets have been a surprisingly profitable bet in this exact scenario. Over their last seven at the Spectrum Center against opponents with a winning record, Charlotte is an impressive 6-1 ATS.

With the spread set at a sizable 7.5 points, the trends strongly suggest the young Hornets have enough firepower with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller to keep this game within the number. The Warriors may have the veteran edge to win outright, but covering more than three possessions on the road is a tall order against a team that plays its best basketball in this spot.

Warriors vs Hornets Game-Total Best Bet: Over 234.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook

When it comes to the total, all signs point towards a high-scoring affair. The line is set at a lofty 234.5, but recent history supports the over. In three of the Hornets’ last four home games, the total has gone over the posted number. With Stephen Curry orchestrating the Warriors’ offense and a young Hornets team that can get caught up in fast-paced games, expect plenty of points.

Best Player Prop Bet: Curry Over 4.5 Made 3-Pointers (+110) at Sports Interaction

The line for the greatest shooter of all time is sitting at a very reasonable 4.5, with consensus odds near even-money and Sports Interaction offering plus-money at +110. Curry has averaged 4.9 made threes on 12.5 attempts over his last 10 games, while Charlotte allows 13.3 made threes per game, rising to 14.1 against visiting teams.

Charlotte’s defensive personnel cannot match Curry’s combination of range and release speed. Expect him to exploit their closeout issues throughout the evening, particularly in transition situations where their defense struggles to locate shooters.

In a matchup where the Warriors are expected to score in bunches, Curry will be the primary engine. Against a Hornets team that can be prone to defensive lapses, Curry should find more than enough open looks from beyond the arc to eclipse this number.

Warriors vs Hornets Player Props & Lines

Sharp line movement has created intriguing discrepancies across major sportsbooks. Curry’s points prop opened at 28.5 on several platforms but consolidated at 27.5 as Butler’s integration potentially caps Curry’s usage rate. The Chef’s three-point line remains stable at 4.5, though some books are shading toward the over with improved odds.

Butler’s assist prop illustrates the market’s uncertainty about his playmaking role within Golden State’s system. The line ranges from 4.5 to 5.5 depending on the sportsbook, with consensus settling at 5.5 despite heavy juice on the over (-143).

For Charlotte, Ball’s three-point prop exhibits notable splits. While most books maintain the 3.5 consensus, FanDuel offers an enticing 2.5 line with not-unbettable -172 juice on the over.

Warriors vs Hornets Injury Reports

Charlotte’s injury situation significantly impacts their rotation depth and creates potential prop betting angles. The Warriors enter relatively healthy, maintaining their core rotation intact.

Charlotte Hornets Injuries

Miles Bridges (Questionable – Ankle) represents the most significant uncertainty for prop bettors. His potential absence would dramatically shift offensive responsibilities toward Ball and Miller while creating rebounding value elsewhere on the roster.

Pat Connaughton (Questionable – Ankle) adds another layer of uncertainty to Charlotte’s perimeter depth, potentially increasing minutes for younger players.

The Hornets will also be without Mason Plumlee (groin), Grant Williams (ACL), and Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow), leaving their frontcourt rotation thin and vulnerable to Golden State’s athletic wings.

Golden State Warriors Injuries

Seth Curry (Out – Thigh) remains the Warriors’ only injury concern, with his absence having minimal impact on the core rotation or major prop markets.

GS Warriors vs CHA Hornets Closing Odds

The best Golden State moneyline at this point is -267 at Caesars, while Charlotte is as long as +225 at DraftKings. The spread ranges from Warriors -6.5 (-106) at FanDuel to Hornets +7.5 (-115) at DraftKings.

The total also shows a one-point range, with FanDuel on the low end at 234.5 and DraftKings on the high end at 235.5.

Odds commentary as of 10:49 am ET, Dec 31. The lines in the table will update automatically with the best-available price for each market if the NBA odds move before tip-off.

Warriors vs Hornets H2H Statistical Breakdown

While both teams operate at a similar, fast-paced offensive rhythm, their effectiveness on defense and on the glass diverges significantly, creating clear mismatches that will likely dictate the outcome of the game. The most glaring disparity lies on the defensive end. Golden State boasts a top-10 defense, anchored by an impressive defensive rating of 109.7. Charlotte, on the other hand, struggles mightily to get stops, ranking near the bottom of the league with a defensive rating of 116.0 and allowing a porous 118.5 points per game.

However, the Hornets have a distinct advantage on the boards. They are one of the NBA’s elite rebounding teams, grabbing 52.3% of all available rebounds. The Warriors are a bottom-tier rebounding team, securing just 49.3%. This could allow Charlotte to generate extra possessions and limit Golden State’s opportunities, a crucial factor for the home underdog to cover the spread.

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