Charlotte Hornets @ Washington Wizards - December 26, 2024

Alright, folks! It’s game day, and I can feel the excitement buzzing through the city like a live wire. Tonight, our Charlotte Hornets are heading to Capital One Arena to face off against the Washington Wizards. Now, let me tell you, this matchup is crucial for both teams as they look to turn their seasons around.

The Hornets come into this game with a record of 7-22 and have been struggling lately, losing five straight games. But hey, every dog has its day! They’ve got some fight left in them and are favored by 2.5 points tonight. The Wizards? Well, they’re sitting at a dismal 4-23 and have only managed to win two of their last 23 games. Ouch! That’s gotta sting for their fans.

Now let’s break down what we can expect from this clash. Offensively, both teams have had their struggles. The Hornets average about 106 points per game on a shooting percentage of just over 43%. Meanwhile, the Wizards are slightly behind with an average of 107 points but shoot even worse at around 44%. Both squads have been inconsistent from beyond the arc too; Charlotte hits about 34% while Washington lags at just under 32%.

Defensively, it’s not much better for either team. The Hornets grab more rebounds (about 45) than the Wizards (around 44), which could be key in controlling possession tonight. However, both teams struggle with turnovers—Charlotte loses nearly 16 per game while Washington is even worse at almost 17.

Given these stats and recent performances, I’m predicting that the Hornets will take this one home tonight! They need this victory more than ever to snap out of their funk and regain some confidence on the court. Plus, they’ve shown flashes of potential despite their current streak.

As for covering that spread? I believe they’ll do just that! With Washington’s lackluster performance lately—losing by significant margins—it seems likely that Charlotte will not only win but also cover those pesky points.

Now let’s talk totals: I’m leaning towards the UNDER for this matchup. With both teams struggling offensively and playing tight defense (even if it hasn’t always worked out), I don’t see them combining for more than that total set at around 226.5 points.

So there you have it! My prediction: Charlotte Hornets beat the Washington Wizards tonight while covering the spread—and keep an eye on that total because it might just fall short! Let’s go Hornets! Time to show up in those lucky jerseys and bring home a W! 🏀💚💜