Hornets vs 76ers Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Philly Cheesed at Large Spread

The struggling Philadelphia 76ers will look to get back on track against a heavy NBA odds underdog as they host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.

Philadelphia (33-25) has been trying to hold on to its playoff positioning without Joel Embiid, but has dropped four of its last five games. Charlotte (15-44) has been playing better basketball as of late, but still sports the worst point differential in the league.

The 76ers should be able to win at home tonight, but covering a double-digit spread is a tall order. We’ll discuss whether they can hit that number in our free NBA picks and predictions for Hornets vs. 76ers on March 1.

Hornets vs 76ers odds

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Hornets vs 76ers predictions

Once again, the 76ers came into this season thinking they could compete for a title behind Embiid. The former MVP odds favorite proved to be one of the most dominant forces in the NBA, averaging 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game this year.

But Embiid suffered a left knee injury and underwent surgery, and the 76ers have gone 4-8 since that time. While Embiid hopes to get back on the court before the end of the regular season, Philadelphia is having trouble even treading water until that happens.

Without their superstar, the 76ers have been relying on Tyrese Maxey (25.9 ppg) to drive the offense. Maxey is a capable scorer, and has run point all year long. But there’s no replacing the impact Embiid has on both ends of the court.

While the Sixers have averaged 117 points per game this season, they’re putting up just 109.8 ppg since Embiid’s latest injury. They’re also allowing an average of 118 points in this span, up from 113.7 ppg on the season as a whole. Few players have more impact on both ends of the court than Embiid.

In other words, Philadelphia is a completely different team without him on the court. Yet the 76ers still come into tonight’s game as a massive favorite, in large part because of Charlotte’s struggles this season.

The Hornets have a solid core of young players, with No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller (16.5 ppg) having an excellent rookie campaign. But injuries have shortened an already weak roster, with the loss of LaMelo Ballin particular making Charlotte a much less competitive team.

Despite that, the Hornets have been playing reasonably well over the past month. Charlotte is 5-3 over its last eight games, and the results would be a lot better if it weren’t regularly being blown out by the Milwaukee Bucks — a team that has beat the Hornets by at least 12 points in each of their last three meetings, all within Charlotte’s last nine outings overall.

Against everyone else, the Hornets are playing reasonably well, even beating both the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers on the road over the past two weeks. This is not a team that is regularly getting blown out, even if they are often significant underdogs.

The 76ers should be able to win this game, but given the size of the spread tonight, it’s worth looking at the last time Philadelphia won a game by this margin. Shockingly, that hasn’t happened since a 124-109 win over the Orlando Magic on January 19, meaning it’s been 18 straight games without an 11+ point win for the Sizers. Without Embiid in the lineup, Charlotte should be able to keep this one much closer than the spread suggests.

My best bet: Hornets +11.5 (-110 at Caesars)

Hornets vs 76ers same-game parlay

Hornets +11.5

Under 214

Tyrese Maxey Under 27.5 points

Bonus bets promo available

+485 at DraftKings

I like the Hornets to keep this one close, and that’s going to be the basis of my same-game parlay tonight. In addition to taking Charlotte to cover the spread, I’m also taking the Under. The Hornets have hit the Under in seven straight games, while the 76ers have also done so in each of their last five contests.

In addition, I’ll take Maxey to come up short on his scoring prop total of 27.5 points. While Maxey is now the primary scorer for Philadelphia, he’s only gone Over that total in four of his last 11 games, and in a low-scoring contest tonight, he should hit the Under again. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Hornets vs 76ers spread and Over/Under analysis

Philadelphia opened tonight’s game as an 11-point favorite. You can now find 76ers -11.5 at most books, though some have stuck to the original spread. Sites have set their lines at -110 or close to that mark on both sides at either number.

The 76ers have been good against the spread this season, going 32-26 ATS. Charlotte has struggled for bettors, posting a 23-36 ATS record on the year.

However, those numbers don’t reflect the most recent play from both sides. This is not the same Philadelphia team without Embiid, and the Hornets have been solid against all but the most elite teams. It’s hard to imagine the 76ers covering a double-digit spread against anyone right now, which is why I’m taking Charlotte and the points tonight.

The total for tonight’s game was initially set at 212.5 points. That number has come up slightly, with most books now setting their Over/Under at 214 or 214.5. There are some discounts available on the Over, with at least one book having it at -105 on the 214.5 total.

Charlotte has played just below the total this year, with the Under holding a 31-28 advantage when the Hornets play. Meanwhile, the Over is 31-26-1 in Philadelphia’s games this season.

These numbers don’t reflect the recent results for these two teams, both of which are on long streaks of hitting the Under. Sites have tried to adjust to this by posting a low total tonight, but it’s worth noting that the Hornets have played Under 214.5 in each of their last four games, while the Sixers have done the same in three of their last five. I’m leaning towards the Under tonight.

Hornets vs 76ers betting trend to know

Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last five games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. 76ers.

Hornets vs 76ers game info

Hornets vs 76ers latest injuries

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