The Washington Wizards (2-1) and Charlotte Hornets (2-1) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. The game will broadcast live on WAXN.
The Hornets are 2.5-point favorites over the Wizards on the spread, with the over/under set at 228.5 total points. The Hornets are -130 moneyline favorites to win outright, while the Wizards are listed as +110 underdogs to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Wizards vs. Hornets predictions and NBA picks for Monday, October, 26.
Wizards vs Hornets Prediction
- Wizards vs Hornets pick: Hornets -2.5 (-102)
My Wizards vs. Hornets best bet is on Charlotte to cover the spread, with the best price currently available at DraftKings. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
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Wizards vs Hornets Odds
- Wizards vs Hornets spread: Hornets -2.5 (-102), Wizards +2.5 (-118)
- Wizards vs Hornets over/under: 228.5 (-108o / -112u)
- Wizards vs Hornets moneyline: Wizards +110, Hornets -130
Wizards vs Hornets NBA Preview
Washington Wizards Betting Preview
I have been trying to get a good feel for the Wizards early in the season, and honestly, I don't love the overall construction of where this team is currently at.
When you dig into their offensive profile, it consists of a heavy diet of mid-range jumpers. They are projecting as a very "mid" team that simply isn't maximizing the mathematical edges you need to consistently find success in the modern NBA.
On paper, their offense looks decent—they currently hold a 112 offensive rating. However, they played the Bucks, and it looks like Milwaukee is just going to be a very easy team to score on this season, which drastically inflates Washington's numbers.
Defensively, they have been solid, ranking 12th in defensive rating through three games, but it is an incredibly small sample size. Ultimately, the biggest issue is that the Wizards just do not take enough three-pointers.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
On the other side of the floor, the Hornets have a miserable 101 offensive rating right now. However, I am not panicking because we know that number is going to positively regress and improve as the season progresses.
The reason I am optimistic about Charlotte is the underlying math. Offensively, they are taking a ton of three-pointers. Defensively, they are doing an excellent job of denying three-point attempts. This creates a mathematical edge.
When you have a math edge like this, you want to back the team that is better coached, and the Hornets look significantly better coached right now as they integrate new pieces.
Charlotte is figuring out its shot diet, and I expect the team to win at home with this specific profile.
Wizards vs Hornets Pick, Betting Analysis
This is fundamentally a math game problem. Charlotte takes and denies threes; Washington lives in the mid-range and ignores the three-point line.
I have been higher on Charlotte against my own will throughout the entire preseason, and I have not been able to get away from them.
My model actually makes this line Charlotte -3.1, so there is over a half-point of value on this current -2.5 number.
If this line hits 3, it is no longer a play for me, but at 2.5, I want to take advantage of the math edge and the superior coaching. Give me the Hornets to cover at home.
Pick: Hornets -2.5 (-102)
