Phoenix Suns @ Charlotte Hornets - January 7, 2025

Alright, folks! It’s game day, and I can feel the excitement buzzing through the city like a playoff atmosphere. The Phoenix Suns are rolling into Spectrum Center to take on the Charlotte Hornets, and let me tell you, this matchup has all the makings of a classic showdown. But if you ask me, it’s hard not to lean towards the Suns for this one.

First off, let’s talk about how these teams have been performing lately. The Suns come in with a record of 16-18 and just snagged a solid win against the 76ers. They’ve shown some grit on offense, averaging over 112 points per game with an impressive shooting percentage of nearly 47%. Their ability to dish out assists (almost 27 per game) shows they’re moving the ball well and finding open looks. Plus, their three-point shooting is nothing to scoff at either—nearly 38% from beyond the arc!

On the flip side, we have our beloved Hornets who are struggling mightily right now with a dismal record of 7-27. They’ve lost ten straight games! Ouch! Their offensive stats paint a grim picture: just over 105 points per game on around 43% shooting. And don’t even get me started on their three-point shooting; they’re hovering around 34%, which isn’t going to cut it against a team like Phoenix that can light it up from deep.

Defensively, both teams have their issues. The Hornets give up almost 46 rebounds per game and commit over 20 fouls—yikes! That’s not exactly what you want when facing an opponent that can capitalize on second-chance opportunities and free throws. Meanwhile, while Phoenix isn’t perfect defensively either (allowing about 42 rebounds), they do manage to force turnovers better than Charlotte does.

Now let’s break down what we can expect tonight. Oddsmakers opened with Phoenix as -5 favorites—and honestly? I think they’ll cover that spread without breaking a sweat. With Charlotte’s current form being so shaky and their inability to score consistently or defend effectively, I see them struggling against a more balanced Suns squad.

As for the total points? Given both teams’ recent trends—especially Charlotte’s tendency to keep things low-scoring—I’m leaning towards the UNDER for this matchup as well. Both teams have seen their last five games go UNDER the total points line, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see another defensive battle tonight.

So there you have it! My prediction: Suns take home the W while covering that spread comfortably, and we’ll likely see another UNDER performance in terms of total points scored. Grab your lucky jersey; it’s time to cheer loud because victory is within reach! Let’s go Suns!