Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV: KUNP (Blazers), Bally Sports SE / FanDuel Sports Network South (Hornets), NBA League Pass
A mid-afternoon Eastern Conference tilt features two evenly matched teams at .500, both hovering around the Play-In Tournament fringe in their respective conferences. The Trail Blazers arrive on a mini three-game road winning streak, while the Hornets ride a three-game win streak overall, including a dominant road sweep capped by a blowout in Indiana. This matchup pits Portland’s veteran scoring punch against Charlotte’s surging young core and hot shooting.
Team Context
- Trail Blazers: 29-31 (mid-pack Western Conference, around 9th-10th). Road record 13-16, averaging ~115.8 PPG scored and allowing 118.3 PPG. Solid rebounding and mid-range game, but inconsistent defense.
- Hornets: 29-31 (10th Eastern Conference). Home record 12-16 (improving lately), strong recent offensive surge with elite 3-point volume. Positive momentum post-break.
Recent Form
Trail Blazers are heating up on the road, most recently winning 121-112 at Chicago on Feb. 26 (Jerami Grant 27 PTS, Toumani Camara 16 PTS/6 REB; held off late Bulls push). They’ve won three straight away games, showing better ball movement and defensive stops in crunch time. Last 10 games reflect improved form (6-4 SU noted in trends).
Hornets are on a tear, winners of three straight including a 133-109 rout at Indiana on Feb. 26-27 (Kon Knueppel broke NBA rookie 3PT season record with his performance, Brandon Miller 33 PTS; franchise road win streak notes). They’ve swept recent road trips, matching high 3PM totals and overwhelming opponents with spacing. Strong 5-1 SU in recent Saturdays.
Injury Report
Trail Blazers
- Damian Lillard (PG) – Day-to-Day / Out (torn left Achilles – major long-term concern if out).
- Deni Avdija (SF) – Day-to-Day / Questionable (low back injury management).
- Shaedon Sharpe (SG/SF) – Out (left fibula stress reaction).
- Donovan Clingan (C) – Day-to-Day / Questionable (illness).
Hornets
- Liam McNeeley (SF) – Out (left ankle).
No other major absences; core young group (Miller, Knueppel, Salaün) healthy and rolling.
Portland’s injury list thins their backcourt and frontcourt depth significantly; Charlotte relatively healthy.
Key Player Matchups
- Goaltending/Frontcourt: Portland’s Robert Williams III / Jusuf Nurkic tandem (if Clingan limited) vs. Charlotte’s Mark Williams / Nick Richards. Edge to Hornets if Portland bigs are hampered.
- Scoring Wings/Forwards: Jerami Grant (POR – 27 PTS last game, mid-range assassin) and Toumani Camara vs. Brandon Miller (CHA – 33 PTS vs. IND, 20.9 PPG season) and Kon Knueppel (rookie sensation, record 3PT). Miller/Knueppel hot shooting could exploit POR perimeter D.
- Guards/Playmaking: Portland’s Jrue Holiday / Anfernee Simons (if available) vs. Charlotte’s emerging guards (e.g., K.J. Simpson contributions). Hornets’ spacing and 3PT volume key.
- Bench/Depth: Portland relies on veterans; Charlotte’s youth movement (Tidjane Salaün, etc.) provides energy.
Special teams: Hornets elite recent 3PT (record streaks); Portland strong FT% but vulnerable to hot shooting.
Series History (2025-26 Season)
Limited specific results available, but teams split or competitive in prior meetings. Portland has historical edges in some matchups, but Charlotte’s current form shifts momentum.
Betting Trends
- Trends show Portland 4-1 ATS last 5, Charlotte covering well at home lately.
- Total: Portland games OVER in 9 of last 11; Hornets high-scoring surge (133 PTS last game).
- Other Trends: Portland 6-3 SU last 9; Charlotte 5-1 SU last 6 Saturdays. Overs in recent Blazers games; Hornets hot offensively.
Game Odds
Portland Trail Blazers 229.5
Charlotte Hornets – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, February 27, 2026
