Free NBA Picks Today: Phoenix Suns vs Charlotte Hornets 1/24/23

The Phoenix Suns (24-24, 17-7 Home) will be out to build on their winning streak when they welcome the Charlotte Hornets (13-35, 8-19 Away) on Tuesday. Charlotte is playing on back-to-back days after being dominated by the Utah Jazz 120-102 at Vivint Arena yesterday.

With 23 points, Terry Rozier was the scoring leader in defeat. Mason Plumlee chipped in with 18 points and five assists. The Hornets are the 14th seed in the Eastern Conference.

Phoenix won their third in a row in a close one on Sunday at Footprint Center, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 112-110. Mikal Bridges had 24 points to lead the team in scoring. With 22 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds, Chris Paul also produced a strong performance.

The Suns are seventh in the Western Conference. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Phoenix won both games between the teams last season, the last of which was a 133-99 triumph at Spectrum Center in January 2022, their third straight head-to-head victory.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 points, while Landry Shamet played a key role with 17 points. LaMelo Ball had 17 points in defeat.The Hornets have been led this season by Rozier and Kelly Oubre Jr., who are averaging 21.4 and 20.2 points per game, respectively. Rozier also has dished 5.2 assists per game.

Meanwhile, Plumlee is grabbing 9.8 rebounds per game. Deandre Ayton and Bridges have been the primary providers of the Suns’ offense, averaging 17.1 and 16.3 points per game, respectively. Ayton also has pulled down 9.6 rebounds per game, while Bridges has doled out 3.5 assists per game.

The Hornets have come up short more often than not in recent games at Footprint Center, losing six of the last 10. Phoenix is looking for a fourth straight home win this season.

Meanwhile, the Hornets are 2-4 this season when playing two days in a row and 2-2 in such games against rested opponents. The Suns are 4-1 with a rest advantage.Charlotte is 3-7 in the last 10 games with an average margin of -5.9 (116.0-121.9). Phoenix has gone 4-6 over the last 10, allowing 113.1 points per game on average while scoring only 106.7 (-6.4 margin). The Suns are averaging 112.6 ppg for the full season while allowing 112.0.

HORNETS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Nick Richards: 9.0 | 14.4 | -5.4
Points per game:
Mason Plumlee: 17.6 | 12.0 | +5.6
Rebounds per game:
Nick Richards: 3.0 | 5.6 | -2.6

SUNS HOT/COLD

(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Chris Paul: 39.0 | 26.1 | +12.9
Points per game:
Chris Paul: 22.0 | 13.4 | +8.6
Assists per game:
Chris Paul: 11.0 | 8.4 | +2.6