On Saturday night, the Sixers and Hornets meet for the first time in the 2020-21 season. Third overall pick LaMelo Ball leads the Charlotte Hornets into Philadelphia to take on the 4-1 Philadelphia 76ers. Let’s get into our Sixers-Hornets betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.
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It had been quite some time since the Charlotte Hornets were an interesting enough team to warrant national coverage, but this past offseason Charlotte GM Mitch Kupchak added to his team’s talent with a top-3 pick and a major free agent signing. LaMelo Ball, the younger brother of Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, has made his presence known since being drafted #3 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball has gotten better each game, hitting 45.5% of his shots from beyond the arc and demonstrating some elite vision on the court. The Hornets also spent some big-time money as they signed Gordon Hayward, who opted out of his contract with the Boston Celtics earlier in the off-season. While it’s hard to imagine Hayward living up to the 4-year, $120m deal he signed with the Hornets, his instant chemistry with his former teammate Terry Rozier has been apparent.
The Sixers have really ramped up their game since getting blown out by the Cleveland Cavaliers, when they were without franchise center Joel Embiid. After a come from behind win over the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia trounced the Orlando Magic and former #1 overall pick Markelle Fultz in a 116-92 road win. The Sixers will look to continue an incredible streak as they haven’t lost a game at Wells Fargo Center since 2019.
Here’s the line for the Sixers and Hornets at DraftKings Sportsbook PA: