The future of the NBA is on full display this morning when the San Antonio Spurs (32-15) roll into the Spectrum Center to take on the Charlotte Hornets (21-28) at 12:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
The Spurs have followed their young guards and star C Victor Wembanyama to the second-best record in the Western Conference. The Hornets are perhaps the most exciting team in the NBA right now. They’ve won five games in a row — their longest win streak in almost three years — and have embraced a full-on youth movement, giving fans a ton of hope.
Below, we’ll break down our Spurs vs. Hornets prediction and Saturday picks for PrizePicks. Use PrizePicks NBA to make picks on player projections and earn real money if you’re right.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Spurs vs. Hornets Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Playing most of last season without Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs finished 13th in the West with a record of 34-48. However, NBA fans knew what was cooking in San Antonio with the return of Wemby this year, the development of G Stephon Castle, and the addition of #2 overall pick, PG Dylan Harper.
The Hornets might be the NBA's most interesting squad. They seemingly have turned a corner in recent weeks, winning seven of their last 10. The Hornets have a +1.5 point differential per game, better than both the LA Clippers and Lakers. It also clears many teams in the Eastern Conference playoff picture like the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Orlando Magic.
They’ve been led by Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel and his elite shooting. Knueppel currently tops all rookies with 161 3-pointers made, 57 more than Brooklyn Nets PG Egor Demin.
Spurs vs. Hornets Over/Under, Spread
The Spurs enter Monday’s game as 4.5-point road favorites, returning a 1.51x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Hornets are home underdogs with a 2.38x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: San Antonio Spurs -4.5 (1.88x payout)
- Over/Under: 225.5 (1.78x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Spurs 1.51x | Hornets 2.38x
Team Picks payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Spurs vs. Hornets Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Spurs vs. Hornets injury report for Saturday, via NBA.com.
Spurs Injury Report
- PF Jeremy Sochan (quad): OUT
Hornets Injury Report
- SG Josh Green (Achilles): Probable
- C Mason Plumlee (groin): OUT
Spurs vs. Hornets Prediction on Spread
Here are some stats to know to get you prepared for Spurs vs. Hornets today.
- These are two of the top offenses in the NBA. According to NBA.com, the Hornets are sixth in offensive rating at 117.1, while the Spurs check in at ninth with a rating of 116.4.
- The Charlotte offense is firing on all cylinders. During the Hornets' current five-game win streak, the total has gone over in four of the games.
- With a rating of 115.3 (19th), the Hornets' defense has yet to keep up with the play of their scintillating offense.
- It is worth noting, however, that both teams have rough against-the-spread (ATS) records to the over. The Hornets are 20-29-0 (40.8%) while the Spurs are a league-worst 18-30-0 (37.5%).
Spurs vs. Hornets Picks for PrizePicks Today: Saturday, January 31
Here are two of the top Spurs vs. Hornets picks to consider for PrizePicks today. Player projections via the PrizePicks real-money NBA game.
Hornets SG Kon Knueppel vs. Spurs Projection: 25.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- This is an up-in-pace game for the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets rank 25th in the NBA in pace, while the Spurs rank 17th, via NBA.com.
- Knueppel is averaging 27.9 combined points, rebounds, and assists this season.
- Kon has had More than this projection in 28 of his 48 games played.
- The Spurs are allowing opponents to shoot 35.9% from 3-point range (17th). Knueppel is shooting 42.9% from deep on 7.8 attempts per game. The opportunity may be there for him to score in bunches this afternoon.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Spurs C Victor Wembanyama vs. Hornets Projection: 3.5 Blks + Stls
- Wembanyama averages 2.7 blocks and 0.8 steals per game. These numbers could increase given that over his career, he averages 3.5 and 1.1, respectively.
- Wemby has had More than this projection in his last three games in blocks alone (5, 4, 5).
- The Hornets turn the ball over 15.7 times per game, the second-highest rate in the league. This could create ample opportunities for Wembanyama to use his otherworldly 8-foot wingspan to rack up some steals.
Make Spurs vs. Hornets Picks on PrizePicks
Both teams will be looking to keep their winning ways going on Monday in Charlotte. Spurs vs. Hornets picks aren’t the only way hoops fans can get in on the daily NBA action.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news.
