Phoenix Suns vs Charlotte Hornets Betting Pick & Prediction 1/7/25

At 7:00 ET, the 16-18 Phoenix Suns (-188) will be in Charlotte to take on the 7-27 Hornets (+157). The Suns are favored by 4.5 points and the over/under is 221.5.

Phoenix is 12th in the Western Conference and 5th in the Pacific Division. Charlotte is 14th in the East and 4th in the Southeast. The Hornets have lost 10 straight games.

PHOENIX SUNS VS CHARLOTTE HORNETS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Phoenix Suns -4.5

This game will be played at Spectrum Center at 7:00 ET on Tuesday, January 7th.

WHY BET THE PHOENIX SUNS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 140-133 in favor of the Suns.
• Our projections have Devin Booker finishing with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.
• From the field, we have the Suns finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.2% and knocking down 17 threes.

Is a Road Win Possible for the Suns?

The Suns improved to 16-18 on the season with a 109-99 road win over the 76ers on Monday. Phoenix, favored by 2 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 208 points fell short of the 222.5 O/U line.

After a 14-0 run by the 76ers put them up 17-3, the Suns responded by winning each of the next three quarters. They outscored Philadelphia 36-27 in the 3rd and 31-26 in the 4th to seal the win.

Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant combined for 48 points in the Suns’ win over the 76ers, with Beal scoring 14 of his 25 points in the 3rd quarter. Durant added 8 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, finishing with 23 points and 6 rebounds.

Phoenix shot 50.6% from the field and 45.2% from three, hitting 14 threes in the game. Beal, Durant, and Ryan Dunn each made 3 threes, with Dunn also scoring 8 of his 15 points in the 4th quarter.

The Suns’ defense was strong against the 76ers, holding them to 99 points on 39% shooting. Phoenix gave up 23 points in both the 1st and 2nd quarters, and 27 in the 3rd. They allowed 26 points in the 4th but still secured the win.

From three-point range, the 76ers hit 15 threes at a 37% clip. The Suns sent them to the line 26 times, where they made 16 free throws. Phoenix also recorded 40 defensive rebounds, gave up 12 offensive boards, and added 7 steals and 4 blocks.

Will Charlotte Win at Home?

The Hornets fell to 7-27 on the season after a 115-105 road loss to the Cavaliers on Sunday. Charlotte entered the game as +16 point underdogs but managed to keep the final margin to 10 points. The combined score of 220 points fell short of the 230.5-point over/under line.

Charlotte’s chances took a hit early when Cleveland went on a 10-0 run, stretching the lead from 34-25 to 44-25. The Hornets outscored the Cavaliers 57-52 in the second half but couldn’t overcome the 91-78 deficit heading into the 4th quarter.

In their 115-105 loss to the Cavaliers, the Hornets shot 41.8% from the field, with a 35.7% mark from three-point range, hitting 15 threes overall. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each scored 24 points, with Miller hitting 6 threes at a 60% rate, while Nick Smith added 18 points, connecting on 4 threes at 66.7%.

Ball contributed 9 points in the 4th quarter, while Miller added 11 in the 3rd. Smith scored 7 points in the final period, and Miles Bridges and Mark Williams each added 7 points in the 2nd half.

Defensively, the Hornets struggled in the 2nd quarter, giving up 34 points, but they tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 24 points. Overall, they allowed 115 points on 47% shooting from the Cavaliers.

From beyond the arc, the Hornets allowed Cleveland to hit 15 threes at a 34% clip. They sent the Cavaliers to the line 16 times, where they made 12 free throws. Charlotte finished with 35 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.