Washington-wizards vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions December 19th 2024

Washington-Wizards vs Charlotte Hornets December 19th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Washington Wizards (3-21) will host the Charlotte Hornets (7-19) in a Southeast Division matchup. The Hornets are favored by four points and have a moneyline of -174.

Both teams are struggling, as the Hornets have lost two straight and the Wizards have dropped three in a row. The over/under line for this game is set at 226.

Hornets vs. Wizards Key Information

Charlotte’s season struggles continued with a 121-108 loss to the 76ers on Monday, dropping their record to 7-19. The Hornets, who were +2.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread at home. The total points of 229.5 exceeded the pre-game line of 218.5 by 10.5 points.

After a slow start, Charlotte won the 2nd quarter 26-23 but fell behind 95-79 after being outscored 41-30 in the 3rd. A 10-0 run brought them within 3 points, but the 76ers pulled away in the 4th, outscoring the Hornets 26-29 to close out the game.

Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 24 points in their loss to the 76ers, shooting 52.6% from the field and adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Nick Richards contributed 19 points, hitting 77.8% of his shots, while LaMelo Ball posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 assists, despite shooting just 33.3% from the floor.

As a team, the Hornets shot 50.6% overall, but struggled from beyond the arc, making 12 threes at a 31.6% clip. Bridges hit 2 threes, connecting at 25%, while Ball made 3, shooting 37.5% from deep.

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Defensively, the Hornets had a tough 3rd quarter, giving up 41 points, which contributed to their 121-108 loss to the 76ers. They did manage to tighten up in the 2nd and 4th quarters, allowing 23 and 26 points, respectively. Overall, Charlotte allowed Philadelphia to shoot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Hornets gave up 16 threes on 42% shooting. They also sent the 76ers to the line 30 times, where they hit 23 free throws. Charlotte finished with 12 steals and 8 blocks in the game.

The Wizards fell to 3-21 on the season after a 112-98 home loss to the Celtics on Sunday. Washington entered the game as +17.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread. The total score of 210 points fell short of the 233.5-point O/U line.

A 15-0 run by Boston early in the game put Washington in a hole, as the Celtics extended their lead from 26-23 to 38-26. The Wizards trailed 91-72 going into the 4th quarter but outscored Boston 26-21 in the final period.

The Wizards managed just 98 points in their loss to the Celtics, shooting 40.4% from the field. They hit 13 threes, connecting at an average rate of 32.5% from deep.

Jordan Poole led Washington with 21 points, adding 8 in the 4th quarter. Bilal Coulibaly contributed 19 points, including 11 in the opening period.

Defensively, the Wizards struggled early, giving up 67 points in the 1st and 2nd quarters, but they tightened up in the 2nd half, allowing just 45 points. Overall, they allowed 112 points on 43% shooting from the field.

Washington had trouble defending the three, as the Celtics hit 18 threes at a 39% clip. The Wizards sent Boston to the line 24 times, where they made 14 free throws. The Wizards finished with 10 steals and 7 blocks.

In this Hornets vs. Wizards matchup, our point-spread bet is on the Wizards at +4. While we project the Hornets to win 134-132, our recommendation is to bet on the Wizards for the point-spread.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 226, and our model predicts the Hornets and Wizards to score a combined 266 points. We recommend betting on the over.

Struggling Wizards and Hornets Face Off in Search of Rare Win

The Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets will battle for a much-needed victory on Thursday night, with both teams desperately trying to end prolonged slumps. The Hornets have lost 10 of their last 11 games, while the Wizards have managed just one win in their past 20 outings.

Hornets Hopeful with LaMelo Ball’s Return

Charlotte welcomed back LaMelo Ball in Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers after the star guard missed seven games with a calf injury. Ball made an immediate impact, recording 15 points and 11 assists in just 26 minutes.

Despite Ball’s impressive return, the Hornets suffered another setback as rookie Brandon Miller, the team’s second-leading scorer at 21.5 points per game, exited with a sprained ankle. His status for Thursday remains uncertain.

Coach Charles Lee praised Ball’s effort and hinted at more improvement ahead:

“He was engaged defensively and executing coverages well. Offensively, we got to see his ability to make plays. I know he’s just going to get better.”

Ball, who is averaging 30.2 points per game, is a key part of Charlotte’s offense but also leads the team with a career-high 4.4 turnovers per game.

Wizards Continue Rebuild Amid Losing Streak

The Wizards have lost 19 of their last 20 games, including a 112-98 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Despite their struggles, coach Brian Keefe remains optimistic:

“We are getting closer. We’ve shown good stretches. We have to do it longer and better, but we’re turning in the right direction.”

Jordan Poole leads the Wizards with 20.3 points per game, but his inefficiency has been evident—he’s taken 80 shots over the past five games. Meanwhile, Bilal Coulibaly appears to be breaking out of his recent slump, scoring 63 points over his last three games.

Rookie Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, has also shown flashes, averaging 14 points over his last two games, above his season average of 11.0.

Injury Concerns Persist

The Wizards continue to play without Kyle Kuzma, who hasn’t suited up since Thanksgiving due to a rib injury. Kuzma has been the subject of trade rumors, adding further uncertainty to Washington’s lineup.

Keefe, however, refuses to use injuries as an excuse:
“We have guys who are capable. We’re playing better basketball. We will welcome bodies, but we never use that here.”

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Clash of Weaknesses

Thursday’s matchup features two struggling teams with glaring weaknesses:

• The Wizards are giving up an NBA-worst 123 points per game and rank last in rebounding.
• The Hornets are near the bottom of the league in offense, ranking 28th in scoring (106.7 points per game) and last in field goal percentage (42.9 percent).

Key Matchups

LaMelo Ball vs. Wizards’ Backcourt

Ball’s ability to create for himself and his teammates will test a Wizards defense that has struggled mightily. His matchup against Jordan Poole could dictate the pace of the game.

Bilal Coulibaly vs. Brandon Miller (if available)

Coulibaly has found his groove recently, but he’ll face a challenge in Miller, provided the rookie is healthy. Both young players will be pivotal in shaping their teams’ futures.

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Battle in the Paint

With Washington ranking last in rebounding, Charlotte’s big men, led by Mark Williams, have an opportunity to control the glass and generate second-chance points.

What’s at Stake

For the Hornets, a win would not only snap a brutal skid but also serve as a morale boost as Ball reintegrates into the lineup.

For the Wizards, securing a victory would provide a glimmer of hope in what has been a trying season.

The Bottom Line

Both teams enter Thursday’s game with plenty of room for improvement, making this matchup an opportunity for one to get back on track. Will the Hornets capitalize on Ball’s return, or can the Wizards’ young core take another step forward? The answer will come in a game where both squads are desperate to end their respective slides.