| MATCHUP | Charlotte Hornets | Denver Nuggets |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 15-27 | 29-13 |
| Spread | +1.5 -115 | -1.5 -105 |
| Moneyline | -102 | -118 |
| Total | Over 228.5 (-105) | Under 228.5 (-115) |
| Where | Ball Arena, Denver, CO | |
| When | Sunday, January 18, 2026 | |
| Time | 08:00 PM EST | |
| TV | FanDuel SN SE | |
The Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets meet Sunday in NBA action at the Ball Arena. Here’s a Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets Prediction. This article will include a Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets Pick.
Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview
The Charlotte Hornets beat the Lakers, lost to the Warriors, and they play the Cavs next. The Hornets have split their last 8 games.
The Charlotte Hornets are averaging 116.3 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 116.6 points on 48.2 percent shooting. LaMelo Ball is averaging 19.9 points and 7.8 assists, while Miles Bridges is averaging 19.7 points and 6.4 rebounds. Brandon Miller is the third double-digit scorer and Kon Knueppel is dishing 3.6 assists. The Charlotte Hornets are shooting 37.2 percent from beyond the arc and 81.2 percent from the free-throw line. The Charlotte Hornets are allowing 37.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 45.2 rebounds per game.
Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
The Denver Nuggets beat the Mavericks and Wizards, and they play the Lakers next. The Nuggets have won 6 of their last 7 games.
The Denver Nuggets are averaging 122.7 points on 50.2 percent shooting and allowing 117.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Nikola Jokic is averaging 29.6 points and 12.2 rebounds, while Jamal Murray is averaging 25.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. Aaron Gordon is the third double-digit scorer, and Tim Hardaway Jr. is grabbing 2.3 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets are shooting 40.2 percent from beyond the arc and 81.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Denver Nuggets are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Denver Nuggets will win
- The Hornets have lost each of their last 12 night games against Nuggets teams that held a winning record.
- The Nuggets have won each of their last eight night games against the Hornets.
- The Nuggets have covered the spread in each of their last four games as home favorites following a home win.
- The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last eight games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Charlotte Hornets will win
- The Hornets have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Nuggets have lost three of their last four games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Hornets have covered the spread in each of their last seven road games following a loss.
- The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Southeast Division opponents that held a losing record.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Hornets’ last eight games at Ball Arena following a road loss have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Nuggets’ last six games on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
Denver Nuggets Player Facts
- Tim Hardaway Jr. ranks 2nd amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (89.5%) this season.
- Aaron Gordon is one of only eight players in the league to have made 10+ threes in a game this season.
Charlotte Hornets Player Facts
- Miles Bridges ranks 16th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for points per game (19.4) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for field goal percentage this season (50.2%).
- The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for three-point percentage this season (40.3%).
- The Hornets rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw attempts per game this season (20.8).
- The Hornets have missed the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons – longest active streak in the NBA.
Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Nikola Jokic, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tamar Bates are out for the Nuggets.
The Hornets will be without Mason Plumlee. Moussa Diabate is questionable.
Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets Prediction
The Hornets are playing decent ball, and they’ve covered 7 of their last 10 games. With the Nuggets’ injury situation and them on the end of a back to back, you can argue the Hornets are in a good spot. However, the Nuggets keep finding ways to win and there’s hope guys will start coming back. Jokic had a chance to return on Saturday, as he’s already resumed work on the court. Either way, you don’t get the Nuggets with lines this soft at home often. I’ll lay the small number with the home team.