Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/10/2022

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Where to watch: Bally Sports Southeast-Charlotte, NBC Sports Washington

DraftKings: Hornets -11

BetMGM: Hornets -10.5

Caesars: NL

Wizards: 35-46

Hornets: 42-39

The Charlotte Hornets still have something to play for this week. They're going to need some help in order to make that happen, but at the very least they'll be in the play-in tournament as a very tough out.

All expectations are that the Hornets will soundly defeat the Washington Wizards in their season finale at home on Sunday and could very well move up from the No. 10 spot to No. 8 and get at least two chances to make the field of 16. Or, at worst, they win and host the lose-or-go-home 9-10 matchup with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Atlanta Hawks.

Charlotte is coming in having won three of its last five with the latest being a 133-117 win in Chicago against the Bulls on Friday. LaMelo Ball finished with 24 points and nine assists as he prepares for his first taste of playoff action, and Miles Bridges had 20 points as one of seven players to score in double figures.

"They should be excited," Charlotte head coach James Borrego said of his players. "We put ourselves in a great position. From where we've come to this opportunity at home to go push for 43 wins this season. I hope we embrace that game Sunday which I believe we will. That's what we can control. The standings, the rest of the stuff will take care of itself."

The Hornets are the team that I think a lot of people have high hopes for in regards to the future. If you would've told me LaMelo would be the better Ball brother at this moment, I'd probably laugh in your face. Right now, that is looking like the surefire moment of the century. Lonzo won't be in the playoffs this year, which is sad, but there's a chance the Hornets could be a team we're all talking about for years to come.

Meanwhile, the Wizards are clearly looking ahead to next year. That was evident when they traded for Kristaps Porzingis to try and pair with Bradley Beal in the hopes they have a dynamic duo at some point. The Wizards aren't going to accomplish much this year and have chalked up a year for Wes Unseld Jr. down the drain, but they can only hope things get better next season.

The Wizards have lost three of four and are coming off a 114-92 loss to the New York Knicks at home. Rui Hachimura had a team-high 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting, and Demi Avdija had 11 points on 5 of 11 shooting.

"I hope to see at least, us trying to get to our spots and run offense correctly," Unseld said. "Didn't feel like it, but once again, I'm not going to blame guys for not feeling comfortable playing different positions."

There's not much left to be playing for if you're Washington, and I'd venture to guess that the likes of Porzingis and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will not play despite being listed on the starting lineup. I'll go ahead and take the Hornets, the team that actually needs to win and build momentum for this week, in an easy one. Hornets by 15

Wizards are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four following a double-digit loss at home.

Over is 5-1 in Wizards' last six against a team with a winning record.

Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last four off one day rest.

Wizards are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings against the Hornets.

PG: Tomas Satoransky

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF: Corey Kispert

PF: Rui Hachimura

C: Kristaps Porzingis

PG: LaMelo Ball

SG: Terry Rozier

SF: Gordon Hayward

PF: Miles Bridges

C: Mason Plumlee

Wizards: Kyle Kuzma (knee, out), Bradley Beal (wrist, out)

Hornets: None

Points: Bradley Beal -- 23.2

Rebounds: Kyle Kuzma -- 8.5

Assists: Bradley Beal -- 6.6

Points: Miles Bridges -- 20.3

Rebounds: Mason Plumlee -- 7.7

Assists: LaMelo Ball -- 7.6