Denver Nuggets vs Charlotte Hornets Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 3/5/2020

Game: Denver Nuggets vs Charlotte Hornets

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020

Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Charlotte

Odds/Point Spread: Denver -4.5

Total/Over-Under: 230

Terry Rozier and the Charlotte Hornets (21-40, 4th in the Southeast Division) host the Denver Nuggets (41-20, 1st in the Northwest Division) at Spectrum Center on Thursday, March 5, 2020. Charlotte opens this game as 4.5 point underdogs. The O/U opens at 230.

The Nuggets cover the spread 49.1% of the time, having gone 28-29-4 ATS. Charlotte covers the spread 50.8% of the time, going 31-30-0 against the spread.

Key Denver Nuggets Injuries

03/03/20 PF Noah Vonleh Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Charlotte
03/03/20 C Bol Bol Foot is questionable Thursday vs Charlotte

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

03/03/20 PG Devonte' Graham Ankle is questionable Thursday vs Denver
02/26/20 SG Malik Monk Suspension is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Gary Harris comes into this contest averaging 10.1 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 2.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 83%. Nikola Jokic averages 20.8 points per game in 32.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.8 assists per contest and 10.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 53% for the year while his free throw percentage is 82%.

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier averages 17.5 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 4.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Miles Bridges averages 13.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.5 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Denver averages 110.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.2 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 44.6 rebounds per game and 26.5 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 4th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.6 per game. The Nuggets allow 107.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 8th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.8 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 25.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league with 102.0 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -7.4. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 21st in the league in rebounding with 43.2 boards per game, and 21st in assists per contest with 23.7. The Hornets are 16th in turnovers per game with 14.7. The Hornets surrender 109.4 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 23rd and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 26.5 assists allowed per contest and 23rd with 46.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Nuggets are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 109.5, and their offensive rating of 112.7 is ranked 13th. They are 29th in the NBA in pace with 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 15th. As a unit they are 17th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 27th in the NBA. Denver is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Charlotte is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league. The Hornets are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.3, and their defensive rating of 112.9 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 27th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Denver -4.5

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