Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 10/9/2017

Monday, October 9, 2017

American Airlines Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Charlotte Hornets travel to American Airlines Arena to play the Miami Heat on Monday, October 9, 2017.

The Hornets head into this matchup after finishing last year with a mark of 36-46. They were 4th in the Southeast Division. They had a point differential of 0.2 as they averaged 104.9 points per contest while giving up 104.7 per game. The Heat had an overall mark of 41-41 last year. They were 3rd in the Southeast Division. They averaged 103.2 points per contest and gave up 102.1, which was a point differential of 1.1.

Valuable Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets were 35-44-3 against the spread last season

The Charlotte Hornets were 43-39-0 against the over/under last year

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat were 49-33-0 against the spread last season

The Miami Heat were 38-44-0 against the over/under last year

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

10/5/2017 Nicolas Batum G Elbow Expected to be out until at least Dec 1
9/28/2017 Treveon Graham G Hamstring Questionable for start of season
9/25/2017 Michael Carter-Williams G Knee Expected to be out until at least Oct 30

Key Miami Heat Injuries

10/3/2017 A.J. Hammons C Illness Questionable for start of season

Player Spotlight

Dwight Howard averaged 13.5 points per game in 29.7 minutes per contest last season. He averaged 1.4 assists per contest and 12.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage was 63% for the year while his free throw percentage was 53%. Kemba Walker comes into this contest after averaging 23.2 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night last season. He pulled down 3.9 rebounds per game and dished out 5.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage was 44% while his free throw percentage was at 85%.

Player Spotlight

Goran Dragic averaged 20.3 points per game last season and he saw the court an average of 33.7 minutes per contest. He also averaged 3.8 rebounds per contest and 5.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage was 48% and his free throw percentage was 79%. Hassan Whiteside averaged 17 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest last year. He grabbed 14.1 rebounds per game and had 0.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage was 56% and his free throw percentage finished at 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Hornets allowed 104.7 points per game to their opponents which ranked them 13th in the league. They also allowed a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 25th in those defensive categories. Opponents averaged 44.4 rebounds a game which ranked 22nd, and they gave up 24.5 assists per contest which put them in 28th place in the league. They forced 13.1 turnovers per game which ranked them 8th in the league. Charlotte averaged 104.9 points per contest last season, which ranked them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin was 0.2 and their shooting percentage was 44% as a team, which had them ranked 26th. Behind the arc they shot 35% which was good for 18th in the league. They averaged 43.6 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranked them 15th and 11th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they ranked 30th with 11.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Heat surrendered 102.1 points per contest, which ranked them 5th in the NBA. Their defense allowed a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 4th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 2nd with 19.6 assists allowed per contest, and 15th with 43.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat were 12th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.7 per game last season. Miami was 22nd in the league with 103.2 points per game last year. They were 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin was 1.06. They shot 37% from 3-point range, which was good for 12th in the NBA. They were 16th in the league in rebounding with 43.6 boards per game and 22nd in assists per contest with 21.2. The Heat were 20th in turnovers per game with 13.4.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte was 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 10.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 52%, which was 8th in the league. The Hornets were 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.8, and their defensive rating of 108.6 was ranked 17th. In terms of pace they were 19th in the league with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% was 21st. As a team they were 17th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat were 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.8, and their defensive rating of 106.7 was ranked 26th last season. In terms of pace they were 21st in the league with 95.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% was 15th. As a team they were 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league. Miami was 19th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 50%, which was 27th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Hornets/Heat NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Miami

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