All Hornets

Score predictions for Charlotte Hornets at Portland Trail Blazers

Picking tonight's game between Charlotte and Portland.
Schuyler Callihan|
Feb 20, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) shoots the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Feb 20, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) shoots the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets are hoping to get back in the win column Saturday night as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Fortunately for head coach Charles Lee, he will have LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams back in the lineup tonight after missing Thursday's game in Denver.

Here are our picks for tonight's action.

Zachary Roberts: Hornets 107, Trail Blazers 102

The Hornets should get both Mark Williams and LaMelo Ball back, and that’s going to be the difference. Without DeAndre Ayton, Williams should have a strong game, and the Hornets are probably feeling good after two good games, although they did fade at the end against the Nuggets. 

Tyler Carmona: Hornets 112, Trail Blazers 106

The Hornets should benefit from LaMelo Ball’s playmaking and Mark Williams’ presence in the paint, especially with Deandre Ayton still sidelined for Portland. While the Blazers have struggled defensively, they have a trio of explosive, athletic guards (Simons, Sharpe, Henderson) . Ultimately, Charlotte’s health advantage should be enough to pull off the road win

Matt Alquiza; Trail Blazers 111, Hornets 101

Portland has sneakily been one of the NBA’s best squads in 2025. Their plethora of young, athletic guards and wings have caused problems for some of the NBA’s most potent offenses, and Charlotte’s group will have a difficult time creating easy looks against the likes of Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, and Toumani Camara.

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Schuyler Callihan
SCHUYLER CALLIHAN

Schuyler Callihan is the publisher of West Virginia On SI and has been a trusted source covering the Mountaineers since 2016. He is the host of Between The Eers, The Walk Thru Game Day Show, and In the Gun Podcast. The Wheeling, WV native moved to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2020 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.

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