Charlotte has been alternating spread wins and losses for the past three weeks, though by that measure would be do a cover tonight at the Nest vs. the Sixers. The Hornets do have consecutive wins, however, and have hit 52% or better from the floor in each of those successes. Last Thursday's romp at Orlando was especially impressive, with eight scoring in double-digits led by Brandon Miller's 20 points. Another reason to back Charlotte tonight is apparently no Joel Embiid for Philly, as Nick Nurse uses tonight for load management purposes. The floor hasn't dropped beneath the Sixers when Embiid is out (they're 10-9 in those games), but after scoring 30+ in his last four outings, his absence is hardly a positive. Play Hornets.

Are the Hornets all growed up enough to win a game like this? They are massively improved of late, healthy and getting a better team missing two of its best players in Joel Embiid and Paul George. It's just so rare we expect Charlotte to win, so that's what gives me pause. And I'm not sure there will be a huge home-court advantage with this moved up four hours due to wintry weather. But it's a dreaded one-game trip for the Sixers and the front end of a B2B for them.