Game: Charlotte Hornets at Golden State Warriors
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Odds: Hornets +6, Warriors -6
Total: 226
It’s been no surprise how the Golden State Warriors have started the 2021-22 NBA season. The Warriors are off to a 5-1 start with the lone loss coming to Memphis in overtime. It should be noted that Golden State had a difficult time shooting in the second half of that game. The Warriors have two wins over the Thunder (1-6), but Golden State does have impressive early victories over both the Lakers and the Clippers.
The Warriors’ opponent tonight, Charlotte, has been a pleasant surprise thus far this season. The Hornets are 5-3 and are one of the best offensive teams in the league. Charlotte leads the NBA with an average of 117.5 points per game. They are third in offensive efficiency and have six players averaging in double figures.
Miles Bridges leads the Hornets with 23.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Reigning NBA Rookie of the year LaMelo Ball averages 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. The Hornets are talented and can go deep into the bench. They will need that bench tonight.
Stephen Curry is off to another great start. He is averaging 28.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game so far this season. Klay Thompson remains sidelined, so the Warriors lack another elite scorer, but Andrew Wiggins provides 16.2 points a game and Damion Lee and Jordan Poole score in double figures. Still, Golden State is a slightly above average offensive team scoring 110.8 points per game which is 12th in the NBA right now.
Where the Warriors are winning games is on defense. Golden State is tied for sixth in the league in both scoring defense (103.0 ppg) and defensive efficiency. This is an elite defense that has given up 82, 104, and 98 points in its last three games. The 104 points went to Memphis and, remember, that game went to overtime. The Warriors allow just 98.7 points per 100 possessions. Charlotte will have its hands full trying to navigate the Golden State defense.
Tonight’s total is set at 226, which is likely reflective of each team’s pace numbers. Both Golden State and Charlotte rank in the top ten in possessions per game. That explains the Hornets and the Over. In four of the last five Charlotte games, the Over has hit in four of them. For the season, the Over has cashed in six of the Hornets’ eight games so far.
That is not the case for Golden State. Despite the pace at which the Warriors play, the Under has hit in five straight Golden State games. That is also the case when the Warriors and Hornets play. The Under is 7-1 in the last eight games in this series. Also of note are the last eight games between the two teams played at Golden State. The Under is 6-2 when the Warriors are the home team.