Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat NBA Picks & Predictions 10/20/2018

Saturday, October 20, 2018

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 Saturday, October 20, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Miami as 5.5 point favorites.

The Hornets have a regular season record of 0-1. They are 3rd in the Southeast Division. They have a point differential of -1 as they average 112 points per game while giving up 113 per contest. The Heat have an overall record of 1-1 this season. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They average 107 points per game and surrender 108, good for a point differential of -1.

Valuable Charlotte Hornets Betting Trends

The Charlotte Hornets are 1-0-0 against the spread

The Charlotte Hornets are 1-0-0 against the over/under

Important Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 1-1-0 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 1-1-0 against the over/under

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Miami Heat Injuries

10/19/18 F James Johnson Hernia is questionable Saturday vs Charlotte
10/19/18 SF Justise Winslow Hamstring is questionable Saturday vs Charlotte
10/19/18 G Wayne Ellington Ankle is questionable Saturday vs Charlotte
10/11/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jeremy Lamb comes into this contest averaging 10 points per game while playing 21 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1 assist per game as well. His field goal percentage is 36%. Kemba Walker averages 41 points per game in 39 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4 assists per contest and 2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 52% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Hassan Whiteside averages 10.5 points per game while playing 31.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 14 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 50%. Goran Dragic averages 17 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32 minutes per contest. He also averages 5 rebounds per contest and 6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte averages 112 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 13th. Behind the arc they shoot 42% which is good for 5th in the league. They average 41 rebounds per game and 21 assists per game, which ranks them 23rd and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 22nd with 11 per game. The Hornets allow 113 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 49% shooting percentage and a 41% average from behind the arc, ranking them 25th and 25th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 57 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 26 assists per contest, which puts them in 23rd place in the league. They force 21 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami is 19th in the league with 107 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 39%, while their average scoring margin is -1. They shoot 31% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 8th in the league in rebounding with 53.5 boards per game, and 22nd in assists per contest with 20.5. The Heat are 8th in turnovers per game with 16. The Heat surrender 108 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 28% average from 3-point range, ranking them 15th and 8th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 19.5 assists allowed per contest and 11th with 45.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Heat are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Hornets are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.2, and their defensive rating of 110.2 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 15th in the league with 102.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 8th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 3rd in the league. Charlotte is 23rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 9.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.3 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 58%, which is 5th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Miami is 8th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 19th in the league. The Heat are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 105.2 is ranked 11th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 102.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 45% is 26th. As a team they are 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 49% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Miami -5.5

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