Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets prediction: Without Knueppel and White, Charlotte's new-look shooters open in Brooklyn
The Hornets lost their best shooter to a hamstring and half of last season's rotation to trades, and the market still moved their way against a rebuilt Nets team debuting Julius Randle.
| Spread | Charlotte Hornets -1.5 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 220 |
- Expect a slow, half-court game where Charlotte's reshuffled shooters test a Brooklyn defense that allowed the league's worst 3-point shooting last season.
- Julius Randle against Naz Reid: if Reid can't handle him, Charlotte has no Grant Williams to turn to.
- Brooklyn was -3 when our feed first saw this game; Charlotte is now a 1.5-point favorite after covering 42 of 65 lined games last season.
Charlotte's shooting, minus its sharpshooter
Charlotte spent last season firing away. The Hornets ranked 2nd of 30 in 3-point attempt rate (the share of shots taken from deep) and 3rd in accuracy at 37.8%. That shooting carried an offense that finished 7th in efficiency, or points per 100 possessions.
The player who best embodied that style won't be on the floor. Kon Knueppel shot 42.5% from three last season and is out with a left hamstring strain, though he has returned to individual on-court work. Coby White, who strained his left calf in camp on Oct. 5, is also out, as are Grant Williams (right hamstring) and Kylan Boswell (right knee). Coach Charles Lee had given no timeline for Knueppel or White as of Oct. 18.
The roster around them is new as well. Players still in Charlotte account for 60.8% of last season's minutes after LaMelo Ball went to Minnesota and Miles Bridges was traded. So the shooting load falls on Brandon Miller, who averaged 20.2 points last season, and a pair of former Suns: Royce O'Neale hit 40.8% from three in Phoenix, and Grayson Allen scored 16.5 a game there. Dennis Schröder is positioned to start at point guard, with Christian Anderson Jr. also in line for guard minutes.
The target is inviting. Brooklyn's opponents shot 38.1% from three last season, worst in the league.
Where the money is on Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets
On the Kalshi moneyline: Charlotte Hornets: 67% of bets, 75% of the money; Brooklyn Nets: 33% of bets, 25% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Charlotte Hornets -2.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; Brooklyn Nets +2.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money.
Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets: quick answers
Who is favored in Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets?
Charlotte Hornets is favored by 1.5 points (Charlotte Hornets -1.5).
What is the over/under for Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets?
The total is 220 points.
When is Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets?
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7:30 PM ET.
Where is the money on Charlotte Hornets vs Brooklyn Nets?
On the Kalshi moneyline: Charlotte Hornets: 67% of bets, 75% of the money; Brooklyn Nets: 33% of bets, 25% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Charlotte Hornets -2.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; Brooklyn Nets +2.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money.