The Charlotte Hornets will visit the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, March 14, at the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs are 12th in the Western Conference with a 27-37 record, while the Hornets are 14th in the Eastern Conference at 16-49. Both teams are unlikely to make the playoffs but will look to build momentum as the season winds down.
Charlotte won the first meeting between these teams 117-116 on February 7. San Antonio enters this game off a 126-116 win over Dallas, while the Hornets are coming off a 123-110 loss to Atlanta. Both teams are dealing with injuries and key lineup changes heading into this game.
Hornets Preview – Searching for Consistency on the Road
The Hornets have dropped 10 of their past 12 games and are just 6-25 on the road this season. Charlotte struggled defensively in their loss to Atlanta, giving up 123 points and losing the game in the third quarter after falling behind by double digits.
Miles Bridges has been a bright spot for Charlotte, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the loss to the Hawks. LaMelo Ball added 25 points and nine assists but shot just 6-for-21 from the field. DaQuan Jeffries added a career-high 20 points, stepping up with multiple injuries affecting the Hornets’ roster.
Injuries remain a concern for Charlotte, with Josh Okogie, Brandon Miller, and Grant Williams all sidelined. The Hornets will need strong scoring from Bridges and Ball, along with improved defensive play, to stay competitive against the Spurs.
Spurs Preview – Adjusting Without De’Aaron Fox
San Antonio picked up a win over Dallas in their last outing but will now be without De’Aaron Fox for the remainder of the season due to a finger injury. Fox had 32 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds in his final game before the injury. Rookie Stephon Castle is expected to take on a larger role in the backcourt.
In the win over Dallas, Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan each scored 18 points off the bench to provide key support. Devin Vassell contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds in a strong two-way performance. The Spurs played better defensively in that win, limiting Dallas’ scoring in the second half.
San Antonio has been inconsistent defensively this season, ranking 22nd in points allowed at 116.1 per game. Without Fox, the Spurs will rely on a balanced scoring attack and improved defensive focus to slow down Charlotte’s key scorers.
Key Stats and Matchup Trends
- Charlotte is just 6-25 on the road this season.
- The Hornets have dropped 10 of their last 12 games.
- San Antonio is 16-15 at home this season.
- The Hornets have hit the game total under in 39 of their last 61 games.
- The Spurs have covered the third-quarter spread in 25 of their last 34 home games.
Betting Prediction
With De’Aaron Fox sidelined, the Spurs’ offensive production may take a step back. Charlotte’s recent defensive struggles are a concern, but their scoring duo of Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball should keep the game competitive. San Antonio’s stronger home record and Charlotte’s poor road results give the Spurs the edge.
Expect a low-scoring contest with San Antonio pulling away late. The Spurs’ defensive improvements and Charlotte’s inconsistency away from home should help San Antonio cover the spread.
Pick: San Antonio Spurs -3.5 over Charlotte Hornets
