yahoo - 1/31/2026 5:00:12 PM - GMT (+2 )
One of the best teams in the Western Conference heads east to face one of the hottest teams in the Association when the San Antonio Spurs take on the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center tonight.
The Hornets are surging, and my Spurs vs. Hornets predictions expect Charlotte to cover the spread as a home underdog.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this marquee matinee on Saturday, January 31.
Spurs vs Hornets best bet: Hornets +4 (-110)
The Charlotte Hornets are hot right now, and despite the strong play of the San Antonio Spurs, the home team has been too good to be spotted four points.
Injuries have plagued Charlotte for much of the season, but a healthy roster has yielded favorable results.
The Hornets finished January tied for the best point differential on the road in a single month in NBA history at +151 across 11 games. Charlotte is +31 across its last five home games.
Charlotte is 10-6 straight up and ATS across its last 16 games and currently owns a five-game win streak. In that 16-game span, Charlotte is +182, good for 11.7 points per game better than its opponents.
The Hornets are 28-21 ATS this season, while the Spurs are 24-23-1. San Antonio is 4-6-1 as the road favorite, while Charlotte is 9-7 as the home underdog.
I wouldn't be surprised if the home team earns another victory, but I'm confident they can keep it close regardless of the outcome. Give me the Hornets and the points
The Spurs are 18-30 to the Under, and the Hornets are 20-29. Charlotte has hit the Under in two of its last three overall and two of its last three at home. San Antonio is 1-9 to the Under across its last 10 outings.
Brandon Miller is averaging 21.6 points per game at home this season, and he's scored 21+ in nine of 15 at Spectrum Center. He's scored 20+ in nine straight games, and he's reached 21 or more in four straight and eight of nine, averaging 24.6 points in that span.
- Hornets +4
- Under 225.5
- Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
Stephon Castle has averaged 7.8 assists across his last eight outings, handing out at least eight dimes six times in that span. The Hornets have allowed the ninth-most assists per game this season, giving Castle a favorable matchup on the road.
Spurs vs Hornets SGP- Hornets +4
- Under 225.5
- Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
- Stephon Castle Over 7.5 assists
- Spread: Spurs -4 (-110) | Hornets +4 (-110)
- Moneyline: Spurs-170 | Hornets +145
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)
| Location | Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC |
| Date | Saturday, January 31, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video |
Not intended for use in MA.
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