Trail Blazers vs. Hornets NBA expert final score, prediction and odds for Wednesday, April 3 (Back Portland)

NBA betting preview, prediction and best bet for Trail Blazers-Hornets. 

Apr 1, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) goes to the rim against the Magic.
Apr 1, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (2) goes to the rim against the Magic. / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
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Two teams with all eyes on this summer’s NBA Draft will meet up in Charlotte. The Hornets are not used to being favored, but Charlotte is laying a short number against a Portland squad that is on a season-high 10-game losing streak.

Here’s the betting breakdown of a matchup between two of the NBA’s worst teams with a best bet.

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Trail Blazers vs. Hornets odds, spread and total

Trail Blazers vs. Hornets how to watch

  • Date: Wednesday, April 3 
  • Game time: 7 p.m. EST
  • Venue: Spectrum Center
  • How to watch (TV): Bally Sports
  • Trail Blazers record: 19-56 
  • Hornets record: 18-57 

Trail Blazers vs. Hornets injury report

Portland Trail Blazers

  • Malcolm Brogdon (elbow): out
  • Toumani Camara (rib): out
  • Jerami Grant (hamstring): out
  • Justin Minaya (illness): doubtful
  • Shaedon Sharpe (abdominal): out
  • Anfernee Simons (knee): out
  • Matisse Thybulle (ankle): out
  • Robert Williams II (knee): out 

Charlotte Hornets

  • Miles Bridges (wrist): questionable
  • Seth Curry (ankle): out
  • Cody Martin (ankle): out
  • LaMelo Ball (ankle): out
  • Vasilije Micic (shoulder): doubtful
  • Brandon Miller (wrist): questionable
  • Grant Williams (ankle): questionable
  • Mark Williams (back): out  

Trail Blazers vs. Hornets key players to watch

Portland Trail Blazers

Deandre Ayton: Maybe the only good injury news Portland has received recently, Ayton returned for Friday’s loss to Miami and has turned in 38 points and 20 rebounds in two games. Ayton had a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double in Monday’s one-point road loss to the Magic. The 7-foot center is averaging 15.9 points and 11 rebounds a night. 

Charlotte Hornets

Davis Bertans: One of the only healthy Hornets, Bertans ended March with back-to-back double-digit scoring performances, combining for 29 points with nine 3-pointers in losses to the Warriors and Clippers. Bertans, a career 39.7% three-point shooter, knocked down a pair of triples and finished with eight points in Monday’s loss to Boston. 

Trail Blazers vs. Hornets prediction and pick

Given the concerning injury report, it’s difficult to pick a side in this game, especially with the lack of motivation for two teams that are eliminated from playoff contention. All four players for Charlotte who scored in double figures against the Celtics on Monday carry questionable tags into this matchup.

Portland is the same way, but still has Ayton and Dalano Banton, who averaged 17.9 points per game in March and poured in 26 in Monday’s loss to Orlando. Charlotte is in unfamiliar territory as a favorite, a spot they’ve gone just 1-4 ATS in this season. 

Charlotte’s defense is 29th in net rating and could be without the best players in its rotation. Both of these offenses have been putrid, but Portland can get it done on the road after covering four times in its last eight games despite its injuries. You can’t trust one of the NBA’s worst teams as a favorite. Take Portland as an underdog. 


Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.