Hornets vs. Wizards NBA expert prediction and odds for NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play

Nov 8, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives past Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) drives past Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards will play for the second time in as many games after Washington picked up a huge road win over the Hornets on Wednesday night.

Now, the two teams will face off at Capital One Arena in an NBA In-Season Tournament Group Play contest.

Both teams are struggling (just 2-5 each this season), and it’s mainly because they have struggled on defense – ranking in the bottom three in the NBA.

Does that change tonight? Or, will fans be in for another high-scoring affair?

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Hornets vs. Wizards odds, spread and total

Hornets vs. Wizards how to watch

  • Date: Friday, Nov. 10
  • Game Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Capital One Arena
  • How to Watch (TV): Monumental Sports Network, Bally Sports Southeast
  • Charlotte Hornets Record: 2-5
  • Washington Wizards Record: 2-5

Hornets vs. Wizards injury reports

Hornets injury report

  • James Bouknight – out
  • Miles Bridges – out
  • Cody Martin – out
  • Terry Rozier – out
  • Frank Ntilikina – out
  • Gordon Hayward – probable

Wizards injury report

  • John Butler Jr. – out

Hornets vs. Wizards key players to watch

Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball: Has LaMelo finally broken out of his slump? The former All-Star has scored 30 or more points in back-to-back games, dropping 34 against Washington on 13-of-22 shooting from the field. He should thrive in a fast-paced game.

Washington Wizards

Kyle Kuzma: Kuzma has been great this season for Washington offensively, scoring 33 points against Charlotte on Wednesday and averaging 25.0 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field. He should be in line for a big game on Friday night.

Hornets vs. Wizards prediction and pick

These are two of the worst defensive teams in the NBA, ranking 28th and 29th in defensive rating this season.

That leads me to an OVER bet – even with the total in this game pushing 240 points.

The Wizards have been money at clearing this total, just look at the combined total points in their last few games, including a 248-point showing between these two teams on Wednesday.

  • Wizards-Hornets: 248
  • Wizards-Sixers: 274
  • Wizards-Heat: 235
  • Wizards-Hawks: 251

Washington is content with playing fast (No. 1 in pace) and it doesn’t defend. The Hornets are also fourth in pace, so I’m preparing for a track meet – similar to Wednesday – with both teams scoring big.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Find Peter Dewey’s betting record here.