NBA Odds: Hawks-Hornets prediction, odds and pick

The Atlanta Hawks (14-15) visit the Charlotte Hornets (7-21) on Friday night at 7:10 pm ET. Atlanta has lost five of their last six games and is ninth in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has won six consecutive games to fall to 15th in East. This is the second of four meetings between the teams this season.

Hawks are in the play-in spot but have won just three games since Thanksgiving. They are an average offensive team, ranking 15th in scoring and 23rd in offensive rating. Their defense is not doing them any favors, as they rank just 19th in points allowed and 17th on the defensive rating, and their work on rebounds is also poor. Trae Young hasn't been the same player this season, but De'Andre Hunter has been effective lately. Bogdan Bogdaniovic has also been playing well recently. He has averaged 25.3 PPG in his last three appearances.

Charlotte Hornets have been struggling this season. They rank 25th in scoring and last in offensive rating. LaMelo Ball returned to action on Wednesday and scored 23 points. Charlotte will be without Dennis Smith Jr. and Gordon Hayward. They have a chance to cover the spread. The team has a good offensive line with Ball, Rozier and Oubre Jr., Washington and Plumlee.

LaMelo is back and the Hornets are looking to end their six-game losing streak.

Hawks-Hornets is a final bet at -3.