Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 31 2026
Charlotte scored 89 points against Detroit on Wednesday. Eighty-nine. And now the Hornets are supposed to keep up with a Philadelphia team that’s won four of its first five games?
I know, I know. Philadelphia has to play the Knicks on Friday before heading to Charlotte. Back-to-backs can make good teams look pretty ordinary. But the Hornets have their own problems, and I don’t think one extra day of rest makes up for them.
The 76ers visit Spectrum Center in Charlotte on Saturday, October 31, with tipoff at 6 PM ET. The betting line wasn’t confirmed when I checked, so I’m sticking with a straight-up Philadelphia pick and a target total rather than making up a price. Get ready for all the NBA action with our free NBA picks.
Philadelphia Has Been Winning Without Playing Perfect Basketball
Philadelphia enters the weekend 4-1, including 2-0 on the road. The Sixers beat Indiana 114-109 Wednesday after losing 106-93 to Detroit in their previous game. That’s what I like about this group. A bad loss didn’t turn into a losing streak. They went on the road and got the next one.
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The Sixers are averaging 110.8 points and allowing 107.4. Nothing outrageous there. They’re shooting 42.8 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from three, so it’s not as though they’ve been making everything they throw toward the basket. What they have done better than Charlotte is protect the ball. Philadelphia averages 13.4 turnovers, compared with more than 20 for the Hornets. That’s a big difference. You don’t need to shoot 55 percent when the other team keeps giving you extra possessions.
Tyrese Maxey has been averaging 28.4 points, and Joel Embiid is pulling down ten rebounds a game. Those are two players Charlotte has to deal with every time down the floor. Philadelphia is missing Dominick Barlow, Ariel Hukporti and Tacko Fall, while Jabari Walker has been dealing with a knee problem. Jaylen Brown’s knee status is another one to watch. The biggest question, though, is how much the starters have left after Friday’s game with New York.
Charlotte Hornets Have Been Giving the Ball Away
Charlotte is 3-2, including 2-1 at home. That’s not a bad start, but the Hornets haven’t looked particularly convincing offensively. They beat Washington 110-103 and Miami 115-110 before going to Detroit and losing 97-89. That Detroit game was rough. Charlotte couldn’t get enough offense going to make a serious run.
The Hornets average 101 points and allow 108.2. They’re shooting 41.7 percent overall and just 30.6 percent from three. Those numbers aren’t going to scare Philadelphia. Charlotte does rebound well, grabbing 47.4 a game, and that could be important against a Sixers team missing some frontcourt depth. But the turnovers keep bothering me. More than 20 a game is an awful lot of wasted possessions.
Brandon Miller has been scoring 25.6 points a night, and Moussa Diabate is averaging 9.4 rebounds. Charlotte has some useful pieces. But Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Grant Williams are on the injury report, while Dennis Schroder has been dealing with a foot issue. If Schroder can’t go, the ballhandling becomes an even bigger concern. The Hornets need somebody to settle the offense down, especially against a team that can punish mistakes.
Philadelphia 76ers vs Charlotte Hornets Picks and Predictions
Philadelphia 76ers Moneyline
I’m taking Philadelphia. The back-to-back worries me, and I wouldn’t ignore it. The Sixers could come out with tired legs, especially if Friday’s game with New York goes down to the wire. But Charlotte has been turning the ball over far too often, and Philadelphia has more dependable scoring. Maxey can get his own shot, Embiid creates problems inside, and the Sixers have been finding ways to win. Unless Friday leaves Philadelphia badly depleted, I like the visitors.
Under 225.5 Points — Target Total
I’d look Under 225.5 if that number is available. Charlotte is averaging only 101 points, and Philadelphia hasn’t been playing at an especially efficient shooting clip. Add in the Sixers playing on consecutive nights, and I don’t see a great reason to expect a track meet. The danger is Charlotte’s turnovers turning into easy Philadelphia baskets. That’s how an Under can get away from you. But I can see the Sixers winning something like 111-103.
Final Picks: Philadelphia 76ers Moneyline and Under 225.5 Points (target total)
Preview prepared October 30, 2026.
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