Charlotte is a bad road team losing 16 of 24 away contests. This is the Hornets' third of four consecutive road games.
The trade deadline is today. There have been rumors about the Hornets dealing their best player, Kemba Walker. So Charlotte might not have its full focus. They also could be short-handed if they do happen to make a deal.
Portland returns home in stop-the-pain mode. The Trail Blazers went 0-3 on their road trip. However, those losses were to the two best teams in the Eastern Conference - Celtics and Raptors - plus the suddenly hot Pistons, who have won five in a row. So there is no shame in those defeats.
The Trail Blazers have covered eight of their last nine home games against the Hornets. Portland even defeated the Hornets at Charlotte, 93-91, on Dec. 16 holding Walker to 14 points. Portland has been at its best against bad teams winning 17 of 22 versus opponents who are at .500 or below.
Porland has had two full days to rest, recover and game plan for this matchup since returning home. Charlotte has failed to cover in its last five matchups versus Western Conference foes.