The Charlotte Hornets are just 5-10 on the season, making them one of the weaker teams so far in the association. They will face the New York Knicks on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 (7:40 PM ET). The Knicks, who are 9-7 this season, are heavily favored in the game at -11.0 (bet365). My Hornets vs Knicks prediction is that the Knicks will cover their big spread in this upcoming game.
Charlotte vs New York Prediction: Latest NBA News
This game will be a part of the NBA's in-season tournament. Charlotte is 1-2 in the standings for this tournament while New York is 2-1. The teams are a part of Group B, which will be settled soon, a group that Milwaukee is 3-0 in.
The Hornets played on Sunday, a game that they lost to the Orlando Magic. Charlotte had previously posted a pair of wins, including a surprise win over the Boston Celtics last week.
But Charlotte enters Tuesday with some injury news. LaMelo Ball's ankle is bothering him and he is doubtful for the game according to his ESPN player profile. Ball missed a ton of time last season with ankle problems. Charlotte isn't that great of a team even with him the in lineup. If they should lose him, then they might be stuck under 10 wins for a long time in the weeks and months ahead.
This is an injury that bettors and NBA fans should keep tabs on: if the Hornets don't manage this injury correctly then any semblance of a competitive team could go out the window. Right now, 28.5 wins this season is starting to look like a big mountain for this Charlotte team to climb. The UNDER for that win total is at -125 with bet365's NBA futures.
In other injury news with the team, Nick Richards has been ruled out for Tuesday. That is an absence that the team will feel as well. His field-goal percentage of 78.6% really helped make him an efficient player for Charlotte.
Double-check for playing status updates with Charlotte (22:15 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
The Knicks last played on Sunday, a game that they lost to Phoenix. But for most of the month, New York has been climbing in the standings. The chart below shows that they are still fading a slow start where they went 2-4. But with Charlotte, Detroit, and Toronto to play before the in-season tournament break the Knicks might be 12-7 soon.
New York Knicks: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 2 - 4 on Nov 6th, 2023
Currently: 9 - 7 (overall)
Recent form: 7 - 3 since Nov 6th, 2023
Recent winning rate: .700
The Knicks enter Tuesday with a clean depth chart. They have nothing noted for injuries from their first line all the way down to their fifth. Playing at home against one of the weaker teams in the association, the Knicks are poised for a blowout. That's especially the case given that Nick Richards is out and LaMelo Ball is doubtful for Charlotte. Their absences leave a lot on the plate of Terry Rozier, Mark Williams, Gordon Hayward, and Miles Bridges with little bench support.
Double-check for playing status updates with New York (22:15 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
Hornets vs Knicks Prediction: Betting Tips
If the Hornets are smart, then they will treat this game like a throw-away game. I mean that they should not take any chances with LaMelo Ball's ankle at all, sit him for the game, and make sure he's 100% before they play him again. If he takes a serious injury to his ankle again, then Charlotte has a 16-win season coming.
New York will likely cover a -11.0 spread. You could see this game getting quite out of hand. With New York having lots of hands on deck, even their bench should be decent quality if this comes down to scrubs logging minutes in the 4th quarter. My recommendation is for New York to cover the spread.
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