On Monday night, the Philadelphia 76ers will be in Charlotte to take on the Hornets. The Sixers climbed back over .500 with a two-point win over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night. The Hornets are 14-11 after beating the Hawks last night in Atlanta.

Let’s get into our Sixers vs. Hornets betting pick with player prop predictions, odds, and analysis for this December 6, 2021 matchup.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK

States: LA, AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, MI, NV, NJ, TN, WV, VA

GET THE APP

SIGNUP BONUS

1+ 3-POINTER!

BET $10, WIN $200

BET NOW

Sixers vs. Hornets Betting Pick (December 6, 2021)

Statistics don’t always give you the whole story. “Lies, damned lies and statistics” is a truism for a reason. With the Charlotte Hornets, though, the statistics actually give you a pretty good feel for what’s going on.

The Hornets are leading the NBA in scoring, with 115.5 points per game. That average has been boosted in recent days by their last five point totals: 133, 143, 119, 125 and 130. How did the Hornets do in those five games? They went 2-3, because in the three losses they gave up 146, 133 and 127. You may thus not be surprised to learn that the Hornets are dead last in the NBA in opponents’ points per game, at 115.8.

There are other pertinent statistics at work here, specifically, the heights and weights of the players on the Hornets roster. The Hornets have two centers on the roster who get any time at all. Mason Plumlee averages seven points and eight rebounds per game. Nick Richards averages three points and two rebounds per game. Those are the only big bodies (7’ and 6’11”, respectively) that the Hornets play with any regularity. So how are they scoring all of these points? They’re playing small ball.

The Hornets’ leading scorer is Miles Bridges, who is listed as a power forward but at 6’6” is probably listed there by default. Their second leading scorer is LaMelo Ball, i.e., the Ball brother who can actually really play. He’s 6’7” and running the point. The Hornets’ next three leading scorers and primary contributors are Terry Rozier (6’1”), Gordon Hayward (6’7”) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (6’7”). Essentially, the Hornets are playing with three guards on the floor most of the time – calling the likes of Hayward and Oubre Jr. forwards when neither one of them averages more than four rebounds per game is making something out of nothing.

This style of play explains how the Hornets managed to put up 130 points last night despite the fact that Ball, Plumlee and Rozier were all in COVID-19 health and safety protocols and project to remain there for some time. The absences of those three players tonight, by extension, explains how the Sixers are favored on the road against a team with a better record. The Sixers have some weaknesses, but length isn’t one of them. Joel Embiid, Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris will have height and probably strength advantages all night against the Hornets. 

The fact that this game is being played at all underscores just how little the NBA thinks of its own regular season. But the Sixers, if they get the expected win here, will be happy to take it and roll on.

Bet $10, Win $200 if your NBA team makes a three-pointer in its game with BetMGM when you click here.

Sixers vs. Hornets Odds

Here’s the line for the Sixers and Hornets at FanDuel Sportsbook:

  • Point Spread: Sixers -7 (-106), Hornets +7 (-114)
  • Moneyline: Sixers -290, Hornets +235
  • Total: 217

Bets We Like With a Sixers Win

Sixers to Win and Over 217 Total Points (+160, FanDuel Sportsbook)

FanDuel Sportsbook

Must 21+ and present in participating state. Gambling problem? Call 1 - 800 - GAMBLER.

GET IT NOW

SIGNUP BONUS

BET $5
GET $200

IF YOUR BET WINS!

GET IT NOW

If you figure that the Sixers are going to win the game (we do) and you figure that the Hornets aren’t suddenly going to stop running up and down the court as if they’re being chased by something scary, then this is the parlay for you. With the Hornets just posting over after over in recent days, this bet is really attractive. It’s more likely that the Sixers will blow this one by losing the game than it is that the Hornets will suddenly remember how to play defense.

Click here to Bet $5, Win $150 if your team wins on Monday Night Football with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Joel Embiid Over 26.5 Points (-115, Caesars Sportsbook)

Embiid has been hit and miss since returning from COVID-19 exile. In his four games back, Embiid has scored 42, 16, 13 and 28. As noted above, though, the Hornets really don’t have anyone capable of doing much to stop Embiid in this game. Plumlee could have at least presented a body to contest some of Embiid’s interior shots. Embiid should thrive in the paint in this game.

Click on your state in the list above to get a $1,001 free bet match from Caesars Sportsbook.

Gordon Hayward Over 17.5 Points (-120, DraftKings Sportsbook)

DraftKings Sportsbook

21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

GET BONUS

SIGNUP BONUS

BET $5
GET $150

CLAIM OFFER

Hayward has scored 18 or more points in each of the Hornets’ last five games. With Ball and Rozier out, Hayward is going to need to carry more of the scoring load than he normally does. The Sixers still don’t defend the perimeter all that well — opponents are hitting 36% of their three-point shots against the Sixers this season. Hayward shoots that shot at almost 40%, and will certainly have some looks from the arc in this game.

Click here to Bet $1, Win $100 bonus if either team in your NBA, NFL, CBB, or CFB game scores a point with DraftKings Sportsbook.

Total Points First Quarter Over 55 (-117, Barstool Sportsbook)

Barstool Sportsbook

STATES: OH, MD, AZ, LA, CO, IL, IN, MI, PA, VA, NJ, TN, IA, WV

CODE:
CODE:
SIGNUP BONUS

$1,000

NEW PLAYER BONUS!

The Hornets’ bench is eventually going to be involved in this game, and when that happens, the Sixers should have a lot of success. That’s not to say that the Sixers’ second unit is good. It’s not. But the Hornets’ second unit tonight will basically be its third unit based on who they don’t have available. The first five for the Hornets won’t have the same problems, and the Sixers are more or less healthy. In the early going, anyway, this game should be a mini-shootout.

Sixers vs. Hornets Prediction

Recently we advised not picking the Sixers on the road against better teams. We stand by that rule, but every rule has exceptions and this game is one of them. The Hornets are shorthanded, they played last night in Atlanta and the Sixers are rested. In a weird scheduling glitch, these two teams will play each other again in Charlotte in two nights. By that time, the rest factor will have equalized. For tonight, count on the Sixers to take advantage of their recent off days.

Pick: Sixers to win and over 217. (+163, Barstool Sportsbook)

Click here and use promo code BROAD1000 to get a $1,000 risk-free bet from Barstool Sportsbook.