<p> Portland comes into this match loser of three consecutive games and will look to turn it around tonight when they host Charlotte at the Moda Center. The NBA betting board lists the Blazers as -5.5 point home favorites, down from -6 moving against the public betting action. The total line has seen a drop of two or more points, currently offered up at 237.5 after opening at 239.5/240.</p>
<h2>Notable Injuries</h2>
<p><b>Hornets</b>
<ul>
<li>Dennis Smith Jr. (Questionable) Ankle</li>
<li>Cody Martin (Out) Knee</li>
<li>Nick Richards (Doubtful) Ankle</li>
</ul>
<p><br><b>Trail Blazers</b><br>
<ul>
<li>Jusuf Nurkic (Probable) Calf</li>
<li>Justise Winslow (Out) Ankle</li>
<li>Gary Payton II (Out) Abdomen</li>
<li>Josh Hart (Probable) Ankle</li>
<li>Nassir Little (Out) Hip</li>
</ul>
<h2>Recent Form</h2>
<p>Heading into the game, Charlotte is 9-24 overall. When taking to the road, Charlotte has a mark of 5-13 and a win percentage of 28%. Currently, the team is 14th in the Eastern Conference. So far, they are 15-16-2 vs. the spread. When looking at how the team has performed of late straight and vs. the spread, they are 2-3 in their past five games, and 3-2 ATS. Over their past ten games, they are 2-8 SU and 5-5 ATS.</p>
<p>In their upcoming game, Charlotte will be looking to capitalize on their recent win over the Lakers. P.J. Washington led the way for the Hornets with 24 points. Despite being 3-point underdogs on the spread, the Hornets were able to secure an ATS win.</p>
<p>Heading into the game, Portland is 17-16 overall. When playing at home, Portland has a mark of 7-6 and a win percentage of 54%. Currently, the team is 9th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 20-13-0 vs. the spread. The Trail Blazers need a win in today's matchup vs. Charlotte to avoid their 4th straight loss.</p>
<p>In their last game, Portland was defeated by the Nuggets with a score of 120-107. Despite Damian Lillard scoring 34 points, the team was unable to come out on top. Going into the game, the Trail Blazers were 5-point favorites.</p>
<h2>The Historicals</h2>
<p>In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Trail Blazers picked up the 105-95 win over the Hornets. The Trail Blazers' margin of victory was enough to cover the spread as 1.5 point favorite. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. The level of competition has been tight in the five most recent games between the Hornets and Trail Blazers, with just -2 points per game separating the teams. Portland has the ATS edge in this span at 3-2. A combined average of 224 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 3-2.</p>
<h2>Analysis</h2>
<p>For the season, Charlotte is averaging just 111.3 points per game, which is 22nd in the league. This below-average production has come despite being one of the faster-paced teams in the NBA (6th). Charlotte's 3-point shooting numbers are below the league average, as they have hit just 32.6% of their looks from deep. On average, the team gets up 32.8 3-point shots per game, placing them 19th in the NBA. The defense hasn't been a strength for Charlotte, as they are currently allowing 114.89 points per game. The team's 3-point shooting defense has been a problem this year. So far, opposing offenses have hit 36.29% of their looks from the outside.</p>
<p>Kelly Oubre Jr. is the top scorer for Charlotte, averaging 20.8 points per game. This season, his field goal percentage is 42.7%. The team's second-leading scorer is Terry Rozier, averaging 21.0 points per game.</p>
<p>This season, the Trail Blazers' offense is averaging 112.0 points per game, which is 18th in the NBA. In terms of pace, Portland has been playing at one of the slower tempo's in the league, averaging just 97.0 possessions per game. Portland's 3-point shooting numbers are below the league average, as they have hit just 38.5% of their looks from deep. On average, the team gets up 33.3 3-point shots per game, placing them 16th in the NBA. The defense has been subpar for Portland, as they currently allow 115.11 points per game. The team's 3-point shooting defense has been a problem this year. So far, opposing offenses have hit 36.95% of their looks from the outside.</p>
<p>As the Trail Blazers prepare for today's game, Anfernee Simons is their leading scorer, averaging 22.5 points per game. This season, Simons has a field goal percentage of 44.0%. The team's second-leading scorer is Jerami Grant, who is averaging 21.8 points per game.</p>
<p><section></p>
<ul>
<li>
<span style="font-size:16px; color:#008000;">Get more details:</span> <a href="https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/nba/matchup/1740721">Charlotte at Portland 12/26/22 Betting Stats</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p></section></p>
<h2>Betting Trends</h2>
<ul>
<li>The Hornets are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.</li>
<li>The Hornets are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 games playing on two days' rest.</li>
<li>The Trail Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.</li>
<li>The Trail Blazers are 7-3 ATS in their last ten after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.</li>
</ul>