NBA Predictions: Hornets a good bet to cover spread vs. Mavericks? 3/24/18

Hornets vs. Mavericks Prediction

Are the Charlotte Hornets a good bet to cover the small spread tonight when they visit the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 p.m. ET?

Game Snapshot

(511) Charlotte Hornets at (512) Dallas Mavericks

Saturday, March 24, 2018

TV: NBA TV, 8:30 p.m. ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook YouWager, the Hornets are 2.5-point road favorites to knock off the Mavericks, while the over/under for tonight's game currently sits at 214.5 points.

Bet This Matchup & Other NBA Games

LINE MOVEMENT

Charlotte opened as 2-point road favorites but the line has been bet up to 2.5 at the majority of online sportsbooks. As for the total, it opened at 214.5 and that's where the number currently sits.

PUBLIC BETTING

As of this writing, 76% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Hornets to cover the point spread tonight. Meanwhile, 69% of the betting tickets are on the under.

KEY INJURY TO WATCH

Nicolas Batum (Achillies) is doubtful for the Hornets and Cody Zeller (knee) is out, but Dwight Howard (disciplinary) is probable. On the other side, Wesley Matthews is out for the Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki (knee) is questionable and Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle) is probable.

BETTING STRATEGY

The road team is a perfect 5-0 against the spread in the last five meetings between these two teams while the Hornets have covered the spread in six of their last eight games coming off a win. On the other side, the Mavericks are just 9-21 at the betting window in their last 30 games when facing a team with a losing record.

The Hornets have played hard of late despite being out of the playoff race. Howard became the eighth player in NBA history to record a 30-30 game when he posted 32 points and 30 rebounds in a 111-105 win at Brooklyn on Sunday. Kemba Walker also scored 46 points in 28 minutes on Thursday while also making a franchise-record 10 3-pointers while going 13-of-1 from the field. I'll take a Hornets team that is playing with confidence.

 

OUR PREDICTION: CHARLOTE HORNETS -2.5