With the NBA season heating up and the playoffs months away, bettors could win cash prizes with the Charlotte Hornets hosting the New Orleans Pelicans. Charlotte has been on a hot streak and could extend their winning streak against the Pelicans tonight.
With the Hornets being one of the hottest teams heading into February, the Pelicans are heading into the second-to-last-month of the season, losing six of their last ten games. Bettors could have a fun match-up between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Charlotte Hornets with a bang to kick-start February with a bang.
Game Details
Date: February 2, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, Gulf Coast Sports
Odds: CHA -166, Charlotte Hornets -7.5, o/u 234.5
Team Form & Recent Results
New Orleans Pelicans Recent Form
- The New Orleans Pelicans are entering Charlotte with a loss and losing two out of four games to end January.
- New Orleans has been putrid on the road with a 5-19 record with a horrid defense, being 30th in steals, and 18th in defensive ratings.
- The Pelcians’ offense has mediocre statistics on offense, ranking 29th in PPG, 23rd in FG%, and 29th in 3PT FG.
- Zion Williamson has been playing well, scoring 21 points per game, with 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Charlotte Hornets Recent Form
- Charlotte has been getting hot with a six-game winning streak and has won eight in their last ten games.
- The Hornets’ offense has been solid, with being 14th in PPG, 24th in Pace, and eighth in offensive rebounding.
- Charlotte’s defense has been inconsistent, but have been playing well in stealing the ball, being seventh in steals.
- LaMelo Ball has been scoring well, scoring 19.0 points a game, with 4.8 rebounds, and 7.6 assists a game.
Key Storylines
- 1. Charlotte Riding a Six‑Game Winning Streak
- The Hornets enter the matchup on a six‑game win streak, their hottest stretch of the season.
- Brandon Miller has been central to this surge, scoring 20+ points in all six wins, including a recent 30‑point outing.
- 2. Pelicans Fighting Through a Tough Season
- New Orleans sits at 13–38, 14th in the West, but has shown signs of life by winning three of their last five.
- Their earlier meeting this season ended in a 116–112 Pelicans win, thanks to a late Jose Alvarado 3‑pointer.
- 3. Head‑to‑Head Trends Favor New Orleans
- The Pelicans have dominated the recent series, going 6–1 in the last seven meetings and 6–2 ATS in the last eight.
- They also lead the season series 1–0 heading into this matchup.
- 4. Charlotte as a Strong Favorite
- The Hornets are 6.5‑point favorites, reflecting their momentum and home‑court advantage.
- They’ve been reliable when favored, winning 72.7% of games as moneyline favorites this season.
- 5. Unusual Afternoon Tip‑Off Due to Winter Storm
- The game was moved to 3 p.m. ET to avoid hazardous evening travel conditions after a winter storm in the Charlotte area.
- 6. Momentum vs. Matchup History
- Charlotte’s recent form suggests a team on the rise.
- New Orleans’ historical edge suggests they match up well despite their record.
- This creates a classic contrast: hot team vs. tough matchup.
Players to Watch
New Orleans Pelicans
- Saddiq Bey
- Bey has been one of the better players for the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 16.5 points per game, recording 2.4 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game.
- In the losing effort against the 76ers, Bey scored 34 points with six rebounds and three assists.
Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon Miller
- Miller has been having a breakout season with scoring 20.8 points per game, and has 3.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game.
- In the close win against the Spurs, Miller scored 26 points, with eight rebounds, and two assists.
Matchup Breakdown
Offense vs. Defense
The New Orleans Pelicans’ offense has been inconsistent, ranking well in offensive rebounds and taking care of the ball in turnovers, but is weak in other offensive rankings. New Orleans ranks 21st in PPG and has horrible three-point shooting this season. While the offense and defense are inconsistent, the Pelicans are a solid team in stealing the ball this season.
While the Pelicans are a poor offensive team, the Hornets are one of the better teams in shooting the ball, beyond the arc, and more. Charlotte this season ranks 14th in PPG, 3rd in 3PT FG, and fifth in 3PT FG%, and sixth in rebounds. The Hornets’ defense is also a solid unit, ranking 18th in defensive ratings, and could pair well against the Pelicans.
Coaching / Strategy Notes
For the New Orleans Pelicans to win this game, they need to take care of the ball against the Hornets’ defense and depend on their stars to win tonight. New Orleans has not turned the ball over, and it could help their offense win against the Hornets’ stout but not elite defense in tonight’s game.
While the Pelicans’ solution to win is simple, the Hornets need to outshoot them, due to the Pelicans’ offense being a weak part of the season. Charlotte also needs to play well in defense and steal the ball from the Pelicans and out-rebound the Pelicans to win this game against them and extend their winning streak.
Prediction
Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans 109, Charlotte Hornets 112
How to Watch
- TV channel/Local broadcasts:
- Streaming: NBA League Pass
- Radio: SiriusXM
FAQ SECTION
Q: What time is the [New Orleans Pelicans] vs. [Charlotte Hornets] game?
A: [The time for the New Orleans Pelicans and Charlotte Hornets game will be at 3:00 PM].
Q: Who is favored to win?
A: [The Charlotte Hornets are favored to win this game, due to being on a hot streak right now.]
Q: Where is the game being played?
A: [Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC].
Q: What are the betting odds?
A: [(CHA -166, Charlotte Hornets -7.5, o/u 234.5)].
Conclusion
While neither team is at their best this season, the Charlotte Hornets are playing their best basketball right now, and could win against the New Orleans Pelicans and win bettors’ cash prizes. With the Hornets’ offense being in synch, they could win this game for bettors, but potentially not cover due to the Pelicans playing well too, and being fully healthy.
New Orleans has been playing well, even with the recent losses, and could make this game harder for the Hornets to win, so the cover could be shaky for bettors today. With the NBA season heating up, bettors could win cash prizes with the New Orleans Pelicans taking on the Charlotte Hornets in Carolina, and easily win cash prizes.
