Charlotte Hornets vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction: Expect Pelicans to win

Charlotte and New Orleans won their first games of the new season. Who will get their second straight win in a head-to-head encounter? Let's pick a few bets at once.

Charlotte has entered a new phase of development

In the offseason, the Hornets had a change in head coach. James Borrego was retired, Steve Clifford taking his place. The logic behind that move is clear, but not quite. After all, under Borrego, Charlotte developed quite well, particularly on offense which got better each season. That can't be said about defense, which is why defensive coach Clifford was hired. But are the questions about the team's defensive play just about Borrego? It seems that the very formation of the roster was not really aimed at the development of this element of the game.

In the first game under the new coach Charlotte handily defeated San Antonio on the road, 129-102. Terry Rozier was the most productive player for Hornets with 24 points, Gordon Hayward had 20 points, Nick Richards scored 19 points and 10 rebounds. That was a good win which should not be overestimated. San Antonio is no litmus test for teams of Charlotte's ambition.

New Orleans is ready to take on some serious challenges

If anyone should be expected to have a breakthrough this season, it's New Orleans. Willie Green's team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season, but now they are definitely stronger with the return of Zion Williamson and they can move on as a result.

In the first game the Pelicans proved their top class, literally demolishing the superstar Brooklyn on the road, 130-108. Brandon Ingram scored 28 points and Zion Williamson had 25 points and 9 rebounds, while CJ McCollum had 21 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 13 rebounds.

Head-to-head encounters

In the previous two seasons, New Orleans won only 1 of 4 games against Charlotte.

Injuries and suspensions

• Charlotte: Cody Martin will not play. LaMelo Ball is questionable;
• New Orleans: Eric Liddell, Jaxson Hayes will not play. Kira Lewis is questionable.

Expert Betting Tips

New Orleans is the bookmakers' clear favorite for the upcoming game. It is hard to argue with this. Charlotte has drastically changed their direction in the offseason and will quite likely be in serious trouble at the start of the championship. The Pelicans already look like one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference with a super offense that the Hornets simply don't have the resources to handle.

Our prediction: Handicap New Orleans (-5.5) for 1.73 at 1xbet.

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