NBA Prop Bets: Denver Nuggets vs Charlotte Hornets (January 18, 2026)
The Charlotte Hornets (15-27) face the Denver Nuggets (29-13) at Ball Arena. Let's take a look at the NBA Prop Bets for Sunday's matchup. The Nuggets opened as 3.5-point favorites, but the Hornets have moved into favoritism at -135, with the spread currently set at 2.5. The Nuggets are +114. The total points line is set at 225.5, with OVER at -115 and UNDER at -105, meaning the implied expected score for the game is 114-112 Charlotte.
- The Hornets (-112) have a 24-18-0 ATS record this season, while the Nuggets (-108) hold a record of 25-17-0.
- The Hornets have an 18-24-0 O/U record this season (meaning 18 games have gone over the total points line and 24 have gone under). The Nuggets have a 27-15-0 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Hornets are averaging 116.6 points per game this season (15th in the league). Comparatively, the Nuggets are averaging +6.0 more at 122.5 points (1st).
- Defensively, the Hornets are giving up 117.1 points per game this season (18th in the league), while the Nuggets are giving up an average of 117.2 points (19th).
Game Style
What do the stats tell us about the style of basketball these teams are playing this season?
Pace
- The Hornets currently rank 22nd for pace this season, recording 98.4 possessions per game. Alternatively, the Nuggets sit 25th on that scale with 98.3 possessions per contest.
Field Goal Split
- Looking at field goal splits, 46.2% of the Hornets' field goal attempts come from three point range (5th in the league), leaving 53.8% from two. Meanwhile, the Nuggets' opponents are taking 41.2% of their attempts from three (20th) and 58.8% from two.
- Comparatively, Denver takes 40.2% of shots from three (22nd), leaving 59.8% from two, while Charlotte's opponents are attempting 39.7% from three (9th) and 60.3% from two.
Beyond the Arc
- In terms of made three-pointers, the Hornets are shooting 37.3% from deep in 2025/26 (5th in the NBA), compared to the Nuggets who are making 40.3% of their attempts (1st).
- On the opposite end, Charlotte is holding opponents to 37.8% of their three-point attempts (29th), while Denver's opponents are doing it tougher, hitting 35.2% of their shots (10th).
Ball Protection
- The Hornets are committing 15.6 turnovers per game this season, ranking 25th in the league, while the Nuggets are forcing 12.1 turnovers (30th).
- Flipping that script, Charlotte is forcing only 12.5 turnovers (28th), while Denver is committing just 13.0 (3rd).
Crashing the Boards
- Charlotte is pulling down 45.3 rebounds per game this season (8th in the league), including 12.1 offensive boards (9th). Conversely, Denver's opponents are averaging 42.7 rebounds (8th), 11.8 of which have come on the offensive end (21st).
- Meanwhile, the Nuggets are averaging only 42.7 rebounds (24th) and 9.6 offensive rebounds (27th), while the Hornets are allowing an impressive 40.0 and 10.5, ranking 2nd and 3rd.
Back-to-backs
- Notably, the Hornets are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
- Charlotte holds a 5-3 W-L record on the second leg of a back-to-back this season, as well as a 7-1-0 ATS record and 1-7-0 O/U record.
- Additionally, Denver has a 5-3 W-L record, 4-4-0 ATS record and 7-1-0 O/U record against teams playing the second leg of a back-to-back this season.
- Notably, the Nuggets are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
- Notably, the Hornets and Nuggets are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
First Quarter Winner
Charlotte is -122 to win the first quarter, while Denver is +102. Here are their first quarter records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 16-22-4 | 8-8-3 | 8-14-1 | 3-3-0 | 13-19-4 | 3-5-2 |
| Denver | 27-14-1 | 13-5-0 | 14-9-1 | 20-10-1 | 7-4-0 | 6-4-0 |
First Half Winner
Charlotte is -125 to win the first half and Denver is +105. Here are their first half records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 19-22-1 | 10-9-0 | 9-13-1 | 2-3-1 | 17-19-0 | 5-5-0 |
| Denver | 25-14-3 | 14-4-0 | 11-10-3 | 20-10-1 | 5-4-2 | 3-5-2 |
HT/FT
Charlotte is +110 to complete the HT/FT double. Conversely, Denver is +160.
- The Hornets have completed the HT/FT double in 26.2% of games this season, while the Nuggets have completed the HT/FT double in 45.2% of games.
To Go To Overtime
Sunday's matchup is +1200 to go to overtime.
- The Hornets have played in three games that went to overtime this season, while the Nuggets have appeared in four.
Both Teams 110+
- Both teams have scored 110+ points in 22 of Charlotte's 42 games this season. Meanwhile, 28 of Denver's 42 games have seen both squads reach that number.
Last Time They Met
Denver recorded a 115-106 victory over Charlotte at Spectrum Center when these teams last met on December 7. The Nuggets have now won eight straight against the Hornets. Nikola Jokic facilitated the offense on that day, finishing with 28 points and 11 assists.
