Hornets vs Rockets Picks and Prediction – 10/24/2024

The Charlotte Hornets visit the Houston Rockets on Wednesday in both teams' opening game of the 2024-25 NBA season. Charlotte finished last season 21-61 and 13th in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets did not make the postseason. Charlotte has been given a projected win total of 30.5. LaMelo Ball is the key component to the Hornets having any opportunity of a postseason berth. Keep up to date with all the NBA action with our NBA picks.

Brandon Miller took on an important role last season when Ball was injured and led the Hornets in scoring. Charlotte added Taj Gibson, Josh Green, and Anton Watson to the roster while drafting Tidjane Salaun and KJ Simpson. The mix of veterans and young talent gives Charlotte a solid roster but the Hornets will struggle to reach the postseason especially if injuries begin to mount. 

The Houston Rockets were 41-41 last season and finished 11th in the Western Conference. The Rockets did not play in the postseason. Houston added AJ Griffin during the off-season while drafting Reed Sheppard. The remainder of the roster remains the same and the Rockets will have plenty of young talent with another year's experience in the NBA under their belt

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr, Alperen Sengun, Dylan Brooks, and Fred VanVleet will round out Houston's starting five this season while Aaron Holiday, Steven Adams, and Reed Sheppard will likely be the first three off the bench. Houston is likely to contend again for a play-in spot in the Western Conference but much depends upon injuries.

Houston will pick up a victory at home on Wednesday in the opening game of the NBA regular season when hosting Charlotte, but the play here is OVER. Dating back to last season, the OVER has cashed in each of Charlotte’s last six and in eight of Houston's last nine. Houston's group of talented young players led by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun will see plenty of good looks at the basket. Final Score Prediction, Houston Rockets win but our best play is OVER 123-119.