Charlotte Hornets vs Atlanta Hawks: Crucial NBA Matchup Preview
The Charlotte Hornets, holding a 24-28 record, are set to clash with the Atlanta Hawks, who stand at 26-27, in a highly anticipated NBA regular season game. This exciting contest will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday evening at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Both teams are coming off recent victories but face different challenges as they prepare for this head-to-head battle.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head History
On Thursday, the Charlotte Hornets secured a solid 109-99 road victory against the Houston Rockets. Notably, they covered the spread as 4.5-point underdogs, and the game total stayed under 218.5 points. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks earned a narrow 121-119 home win over the Utah Jazz but failed to cover as 8.5-point favorites, with the total also going under 245.5.
This season, the home team has emerged victorious in both previous meetings between these franchises, though the Hornets managed to cover the spread in each instance. On November 23, the Hawks won 113-110 at home but did not cover as 8.5-point favorites, with the total going under 228.5. Later, on December 18, the Hornets triumphed 126-113 as 4.5-point home favorites, with the total soaring over 241.5.
Game Details and Broadcasting Information
The matchup is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Charlotte Hornets aim to extend their impressive winning streak to eight consecutive games. Fans can catch the action live on the FanDuel Sports Network and NBA League Pass. For streaming enthusiasts, the game will be available on Fubo and Prime Video platforms.
Expected Starting Lineups
Charlotte Hornets:
- Point Guard: LaMelo Ball
- Shooting Guard: Kon Knueppel
- Small Forward: Brandon Miller
- Power Forward: Miles Bridges
- Center: Moussa Diabate
Atlanta Hawks:
- Point Guard: Dyson Daniels
- Shooting Guard: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- Small Forward: Zaccharie Risacher
- Power Forward: Jalen Johnson
- Center: Jock Landale
Injury Report Updates
Charlotte Hornets:
- Malaki Branham: Out (recently traded)
- Coby White: Out (recovering from ailing right calf)
Atlanta Hawks:
- Jonathan Kuminga: Out (knee injury)
- Buddy Hield: Day-to-day (recently traded)
- Onyeka Okongwu: Out (mouth injury)
Game Prediction and Betting Insights
The Charlotte Hornets enter this contest as narrow 2-point favorites against the Atlanta Hawks. They will be defending their eight-game winning streak against a revamped Hawks squad. The over/under total for the game is set at 231.5 points.
Statistical analysis reveals that the Hornets have exceeded 231.5 points in 22 out of their 52 games this season, which represents 42.3% of their opportunities. Conversely, the Hawks have participated in 31 games where the combined score surpassed 231.5 points, accounting for 58.5% of their matchups. Interestingly, the average combined points per game for these two teams is 233.3, which is 1.8 points higher than the current over/under line of 231.5, suggesting a potentially high-scoring affair.
