Suns vs. Hornets NBA expert prediction and odds for Friday, March 15 (Phoenix gets back on track)

The Phoenix Suns are trying to play their way out of the NBA Play-In Tournament and into a top-6 seed after a slow start out of the NBA All-Star Break. The Suns are 5-6 overall since the break and now trail the Sacramento Kings by a half game for the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference. 

Phoenix lost on the road to Boston Thursday night, but have a great opportunity to recover when they finish a back-to-back Friday night against the lowly Hornets. Charlotte is all-in on NBA Draft preparation with the fourth-worst record in the NBA. Near the end of February, the Hornets enjoyed a nice 5-1 stretch, but have lost seven of their last nine games since heading into Friday’s tilt as a big underdog. 

Here’s the betting breakdown of Friday’s tilt with a best bet. 

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Suns vs. Hornets odds, spread and total

Suns vs. Hornets how to watch

• Date: Friday, March 15 
• Game time: 7 p.m. EST
• Venue: Spectrum Center 
• How to watch (TV): NBA TV
• Suns record: 38-28
• Hornets record: 17-49

Suns vs. Hornets injury report

Phoenix Suns

• Eric Gordon (knee): day-to-day

Charlotte Hornets

• No injuries to report

Suns vs. Hornets key players to watch

Suns

Jusuf Nurkic: The former first-round pick is No. 7 in the NBA in rebounds, grabbing 10.9 boards per night. He averages a double-double per night, scoring 11.6 points a game while shooting 52.2% from the field. The 7-footer is averaging an absurd 15.1 rebounds per game in March and is coming off a 22-board night in Thursday’s loss to Boston. He had 31 rebounds in a loss to Oklahoma City March 3. 

Hornets

Miles Bridges: Bridges used his no-trade clause to stay in Charlotte in his final season before unrestricted free agency. After speculation at the NBA Trade Deadline, Bridges remained with the Hornets and continues to put up big numbers on the offensive end. Bridges averages 21.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game this season and has been efficient in March, shooting 47.1% from the field in seven games with a pair of double-doubles. 

Suns vs. Hornets prediction and pick

To improve its postseason outlook, Phoenix can ill-afford to slip up with a bad loss against a team with nothing to play for. Thankfully, the perfect bounce-back spot arrives on Friday night when they visit the Spectrum Center. 

Phoenix has hammered lesser competition this season (20-9 against teams with an under .500 record) and have the capability to dominate the lowly Hornets on both sides of the ball. Phoenix has been better scoring on the road, too. The Suns are No. 8 in the NBA in road scoring, putting up 117 points per game. They’ll get a nice matchup against a Hornets’ defense that is No. 26 in defensive rating and is No. 27 in opposing field goal percentage, allowing foes to shoot nearly 50% from the field. 

Phoenix’s defense gets a great opportunity to recover after being lit up for 25 three-pointers in the loss to Boston. Charlotte’s offense is 29th in the NBA in scoring (107.1 points per game) and 27th in shooting efficiency. Phoenix uses its desperation to route another bad team. Lay the points with the Suns. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.