Houston Rockets vs Charlotte Hornets Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 3/7/2020

Game: Houston Rockets vs Charlotte Hornets

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Location: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC

TV: Fox Sports Southeast - Charlotte

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 223.5

Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets (39-22, 1st in the Southwest Division) go to Spectrum Center on Saturday where they'll meet the Charlotte Hornets (21-41, 4th in the Southeast Division). The spread on this game has Houston as 6.5 point favorites. The total is set at 223.5.

The Rockets cover 47.5% of the time, having gone 29-32-0 ATS. Charlotte is covering 51.6% of the time, going 32-30-0 against the spread.

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

03/06/20 SG Eric Gordon Knee left last game, is questionable Saturday vs Charlotte

Key Charlotte Hornets Injuries

02/26/20 SG Malik Monk Suspension is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 27.5 points per game while playing 36.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.0 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 78%. James Harden averages 34.6 points per game in 36.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.3 assists per contest and 6.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%.

Player Spotlight

Terry Rozier averages 17.5 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.4 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 13.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston averages 118.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 4.3 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 45.3 rebounds per game and 21.4 assists per game, which ranks them 13th and 29th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14.5 per game. The Rockets allow 114.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 5th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 47.4 rebounds a game which ranks 28th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 15.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 25th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Charlotte is 30th in the league with 102.1 points per game this year. They are 30th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -7.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 23rd in the league in rebounding with 43.0 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 109.5 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 24th and 12th in those defensive statistics. They rank 30th with 26.5 assists allowed per contest and 22nd with 46.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Hornets are 14th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 2nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114, and their defensive rating of 109.9 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 3rd in the league with 103.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 7th. As a team they are 6th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 49% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 15th in the league.

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 105.5, and their defensive rating of 113.1 is ranked 24th. In terms of pace they are 30th in the league with 96.1 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 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Houston -6.5

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