Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets NBA Sat, Feb 1, 19:00 pm.
Charlotte Hornets
ML: 400
0
0
Denver Nuggets
ML: -550

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At 7:00 ET, the Denver Nuggets (-950) will travel to face the Charlotte Hornets (+618) in a non-conference matchup. Denver is favored by 14 points and has a record of 29-19, good for 4th in the Western Conference. Charlotte is currently on a 3-game losing streak and is 14th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-33.

This game will be played at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte and can be seen on ALT.

Nuggets vs. Hornets Key Information

  • Sport: NBA
  • Teams: Denver Nuggets at Charlotte Hornets
  • Where: Charlotte at Spectrum Center
  • Date: Saturday, February 1st
  • Betting Odds DEN -14, DEN -950 | CHA +618 O/U 223

The Nuggets Can Win If…

The Nuggets improved to 29-19 on the season with a 137-134 win over the 76ers on Friday. Denver picked up the road victory, but they didn’t cover the -9.5 point spread. The game’s total of 271 points went well over the pre-game line of 235.

Denver led 38-36 after the 1st quarter and 73-69 at halftime. They took a 103-100 lead into the 4th quarter, where both teams scored 34 points to close out the game.

The Nuggets shot 65.9% from the field and 52.2% from three-point range in their 137-134 win over the 76ers. Jamal Murray led the way with 31 points and 11 assists, while Nikola Jokic added 28 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds, shooting 68.8% from the field.

Michael Porter Jr. contributed 24 points, hitting 71.4% of his shots. Jokic scored 13 points in the 4th quarter, while Murray added 4 in the final period. The Nuggets made 12 threes in the game.

Despite giving up 134 points, the Nuggets managed to pull off a win against the 76ers. Denver allowed at least 31 points in every quarter, including 36 in the 1st. Philadelphia shot 55% from the field.

The 76ers hit 21 threes at a 52% clip. Denver sent them to the line 16 times, where they made 13 free throws. The Nuggets finished with 7 steals and 2 blocks.

  • Although Denver has a straight up record of 1-2 in their last three road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 0-3. The team averaged 123 points per game in these games.
  • Against the spread, the Nuggets have put together of 2-3 in their last five games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 3-2 straight up.
  • Over their last three games, the Nuggets have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 0-3 vs. the spread.

The Hornets Can Win If…

Charlotte fell to 12-33 on the season after a 112-104 home loss to the Clippers on Friday. The Hornets were +13.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 216 exceeded the over/under line of 208.5.

Charlotte went on a 10-0 run early, turning a 21-15 deficit into a 25-21 lead. However, the Clippers took control in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, outscoring the Hornets 64-54. Charlotte made a push in the 4th, winning the quarter 27-25, but couldn’t overcome the 87-77 deficit they faced going into the final period.

In the Hornets’ 112-104 loss to the Clippers, Miles Bridges led the way with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting 44.4% from the field. Vasilije Micic contributed 20 points, hitting 2 threes at 33.3%, and Moussa Diabate added 11 points and 14 rebounds.

As a team, Charlotte struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 threes at a 23.3% clip, with an overall field goal percentage of 43.8%. Bridges scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Micic added 9 in the final period.

Defensively, the Hornets had strong 1st and 4th quarters, allowing 23 and 25 points, but struggled in the 2nd and 3rd, giving up 30 and 34 points, respectively, in their 112-104 loss to the Clippers. Charlotte allowed LA to shoot 54% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Hornets limited the Clippers to 11 threes on 39% shooting. They also sent LA to the line 20 times, with the Clippers making 13 free throws. Charlotte finished with 11 steals and 3 blocks.

  • In their last five home games, Charlotte has averaged 116 points per game while allowing 120. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 2-1-2.
  • Spanning across their last five games as the betting underdog, the Hornets have gone 2-1-2 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 1-4.
  • In their last three games, the Hornets have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-1-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Nuggets to secure the win, with an expected final score of 131-84. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -14.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 223, and our model predicts the Nuggets and Hornets to score a combined 215 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Denver Nuggets vs. Charlotte Hornets: Key Matchup Preview and Turnover Concerns

The Denver Nuggets will look to wrap up their five-game road trip on a high note when they face the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night. After snapping a three-game losing streak with a thrilling 137-134 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver hopes to build momentum before returning home.

However, a recurring issue continues to trouble the defending NBA champions: turnovers. The Nuggets committed 19 giveaways against the 76ers, a statistic coach Michael Malone knows must improve if they want to close out the trip with another win.

“The turnovers have got to come down, and let’s get another one (Saturday) night and go home feeling good about ourselves,” Malone said.

Meanwhile, the Hornets enter the matchup on a three-game losing streak, struggling through a 1-4 record in their extended nine-game homestand. Despite the losses, coach Charles Lee found positives in Friday’s 112-104 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers, a much-improved effort compared to their 104-83 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.

“I’m actually happy with how we played on both ends of the court,” Lee said. “We were right there all game, and leaving here tonight is a little bit different than leaving here a couple nights ago.”


Key Players to Watch

Denver Nuggets

🔥 Nikola Jokic – The reigning NBA Finals MVP narrowly missed a triple-double against Philadelphia, posting 28 points, 13 assists, and 9 rebounds. He will once again be the focal point of Denver’s offense.

🔥 Julian Strawther – The rookie has emerged as a key bench scorer, tallying 18 points against the 76ers. His ability to provide instant offense will be crucial, especially with Denver playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

🔥 Jamal Murray – The star guard continues to be a major contributor for Denver, averaging 21.2 points and 6.3 assists over the last five games. His ability to handle pressure defense and limit turnovers will be critical.

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Charlotte Hornets

🔥 Miles Bridges – With LaMelo Ball (ankle injury) sidelined, Bridges has stepped up as the Hornets’ primary scoring option, averaging 25.3 points per game in the past three contests.

🔥 Nick Smith Jr. – The rookie guard is enduring shooting struggles, hitting just 8-for-36 (22%) from the field over the past four games. However, his aggressiveness and potential to break out could be a factor.

🔥 Vasilije Micic – The Serbian guard has become a key piece of Charlotte’s backcourt rotation, averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 assists. With Ball out, his ability to facilitate offense will be vital.

“He’s quite the competitor,” Lee said of Micic. “I’m just super thankful that he’s with us.”


Key Storylines & Matchup Breakdown

1️⃣ Turnovers: A Deciding Factor?

  • Denver committed 19 turnovers in their win over Philadelphia.
  • The Nuggets rank middle of the pack in turnover percentage, but their mistakes have cost them close games.
  • Charlotte could take advantage with its scrappy defensive play.

2️⃣ Hornets’ Home Woes

  • Charlotte is just 1-4 during its nine-game homestand.
  • The team has struggled against Western Conference opponents, losing four of their last five matchups.

3️⃣ Fatigue for Denver?

  • The Nuggets played only eight players in Friday’s win, meaning stamina could be a factor on the second night of a back-to-back.
  • Jokic and Murray might see reduced minutes if Denver builds an early lead.

Game Prediction & Betting Insights

🏀 Spread & Odds (Projected)

  • Denver Nuggets: -8.5 favorites
  • Charlotte Hornets: +8.5 underdogs
  • Over/Under: 231.5 total points

Prediction: Nuggets 118, Hornets 106

  • The Nuggets’ depth and star power should be enough to secure a road win.
  • However, if turnovers remain an issue, the Hornets could keep the game close longer than expected.

Final Thoughts

This will be the first of two meetings between these teams in the next three weeks. The Nuggets aim to improve ball security, while the Hornets look for a much-needed home win. With Nikola Jokic leading Denver and Miles Bridges carrying Charlotte’s offense, expect an intriguing battle despite the teams’ contrasting records.

Would you bet on the Nuggets to cover the spread? Or do you see an upset brewing in Charlotte?

By Rick Rockwell | February 14, 2025
By Kody Miller | February 12, 2025
By Kody Miller | February 12, 2025
WinningCappers, The most trusted name in sports handicapping
Fri, Jan 31, 20:23 pm.
spread
moneyline
over/under
Charlotte Hornets
+14
-110
400
O 221.5
-110
Denver Nuggets
-14
-110
-550
U 221.5
-110
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