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The Charlotte Hornets (14-40) are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers (23-33) on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers are currently on a four-game losing streak and have a home record of 15-14. They've struggled in games decided by 10 or more points, holding a 10-22 record in such contests. The Hornets, meanwhile, have faced challenges on the road, with a 5-20 away record this season. Portland will be without center Deandre Ayton, who is sidelined for at least four weeks due to a left calf strain. Guard Matisse Thybulle is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury. Charlotte's injury list is more extensive. Forward Brandon Miller is out for the season following wrist surgery, and forward Grant Williams is also sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL. Guard LaMelo Ball is questionable for the game, managing an ankle injury. For the Trail Blazers, guard Anfernee Simons has been a consistent contributor, averaging 17.3 points and 4.7 assists over the last 20 games. Forward Deni Avdija has also been impactful, contributing 13.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in the same span. On the Hornets' side, forward Miles Bridges has been leading the team, averaging 21.8 points and 7.5 rebounds over the last 20 games. Center Mark Williams, listed as day-to-day, has added 11.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game during this period. I like the Blazers here tonight as they are not only at home but the Hornets likely without Ball tonight. Take Portland. 

Dave's Saturday Free Play:

1* on Denver Nuggets -6.5

The Key: The Denver Nuggets are playing as well as almost anyone in the NBA right now.  They have won 9 consecutive games while going 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall with all 7 wins coming by 11 points or more.  Now they host a scuffling Los Angeles Lakers team that is trying to implement Luka Doncic into the rotation while also getting him in shape.  In the meantime the Lakers are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA.  That's bad news for them going up against a Nuggets team that has scored at least 122 points in 6 of their last 7 games.  The Nuggets are also basically fully healthy which is a big reason they are playing so well.  Denver owns LA going 9-1 SU & 7-3 ATS in the last 10 matchups.  Take Denver.

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PSP Data Driven 1* Nuggets.

At Professionalsportspicks we see a future where those handicapping sports without advanced analytics and data-driven strategies will be left behind. Our data-driven picks use data integration, search and discovery, and knowledge management along with collaboration with our in-house handicappers. By isolating relevant trends, removing human bias, and targeting only lines with a positive expected value above a certain threshold, our data-driven picks promise to outperform any and all human competitors.

Our models suggest that the value is on the favorite. Denver are 9-0 SU in their last 9 games. LA Lakers are 1-13 SU in their last 14 games against Denver.