Hornets Have Lost Some Sting - Philadelphia at New Orleans
by Ian James
Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, losing 116-108 on the road. Chandler leads the team in rebounding (8.3 per game) and blocks (1.4 per game) while David West averages 20.0 points per game.
The Hornets usually dominate the opposition in the low post, but that will be an impossibility against Elton Brand and the Philadelphia 76ers. Granted Brand missed nearly a month with a shoulder injury, but he returned last week and a match-up against New Orleans’ second string interior players is just what the doctor ordered. The Hornets average 34 points allowed in the paint per game, that’s the lowest average in the league; however, on Friday night without their big men they allowed 52 points in the paint, and will be hard-pressed to stop that trend tonight.
The 76ers are on a roll of late having won 8 of their last 10 games, and getting Brand back into the swing of things can only improve their chances of improving their overall record.
The BetUS over/under is 194 points, and the BetUS point spread has New Orleans the favourite by -3.0 points. Everybody seems to be jumping on the Hornets’ band-wagon, but take the 2-key injuries into context against the confident 76ers.
- PHI are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
- Under is 7-2 in NO last 9 games as a home favourite.
- Under is 7-2 in NO last 9 home games.
NBA free pick: Philadelphia and the points (+3.0)
