Devin Booker and the Suns take their NBA-best road record into Charlotte to take on the Hornets Sunday. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire)
- The visiting Phoenix Suns are 6.5-point favorites over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday at the Spectrum Center
- The Suns’ 15-6 road record is the best in the NBA
- Analysis of the Suns-Hornets matchup along with a prediction can be found below
The NBA’s best road team will try to add another victory away from home when the Phoenix Suns visit the Charlotte Hornets at 1pm ET Sunday at the Spectrum Center.
The Suns are 30-14 overall and a league-leading 15-6 in road games. The Suns also have won four of their last five games, including beating the Toronto Raptors 104-100 on Friday night in Tampa as 3.5-point favorites.
The Hornets (23-21) have been tough at home lately, winning five straight games at the Spectrum Center. Charlotte is on a three-game winning streak overall after holding off the visiting Miami Heat 110-105 on Friday night as a 1.5-point underdog.
Suns vs Hornets Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread at FanDuel | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Suns | -270 | -6.5 (-110) | Over 220.5 (-110) |
| Charlotte Hornets | +220 | +6.5 (-110) | Under 220.5 (-110) |
Odds taken March 27
Booker Saves Suns
Chris Paul had a solid all-round game for the Suns against the Raptors, finishing with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds. However, Phoenix barely escaped with the win.
That’s a Raptors sweep this season! 🧹 pic.twitter.com/iT2URrs5Nr
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 27, 2021
The Suns looked in control when DeAndre Ayton’s jump hook with 3:50 left put them ahead 100-91. However, Phoenix did not score another field goal and the Raptors cut their deficit to 102-100 before Devin Booker’s two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining sealed the win.
The Suns’ other points in that stretch came on a pair of foul shots by Paul.
Ayton just missed a double-double as he scored 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting and pulled down nine rebounds.
Booker, who is averaging a team-high 24.9 points, had an off night with just 16 points. He made 6-of-14 attempts from the field but did hit the two big free throws at the end.
Booker is 15th in the league in scoring.
Devin Booker. pic.twitter.com/hFVIlj5xuU
— Steve Benko (@SteveBenko) March 24, 2021
The Suns shot a sickly 25% (9-for-36) on three-point field goals. However, they held the Raptors to 26.7% (12-of-45) from beyond the arc.
Forward Abel Nader missed his third straight game with a sore right knee.
Winning Without Ball
The Hornets improved to 3-0 since star rookie point guard LaMelo Bell sustained a fractured right wrist with its win over the Heat.
Malik Monk stepped up with 32 points, including five three-pointers. He shot 12-of-17 from the field and had three steals. Monk had his second-highest scoring total of the season behind a 36-point effort against the Heat on Feb. 1.
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️@AhmadMonk | @HornetsOnFSSE pic.twitter.com/51Fq5Z8PB3
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) March 27, 2021
Terry Rozier, picking up extra ballhandling duties in Ball’s absence, dished a career-high 11 assists. He also had 26 points and five rebounds. Rozier is averaging 25 points and seven assists in the three games Bell has missed.
Devonte Graham, who has moved into the starting lineup with Ball hurt, added 16 points and eight assists.
The Hornets led 61-31 midway through the second quarter and appeared on their way to an easy victory. However, the Heat eventually cut the gap to 108-105 on Tyler Herro’s layup with 6.6 seconds left.
Graham clinched the win, though, when he made two free throws with 2.9 seconds to go.
Nothing personal, just BIZness 🚫@bismackbiyombo | @LibmanCompany pic.twitter.com/IxI6aMAzXx
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) March 27, 2021
Bismack Biyombo started at center for the fourth straight game instead of the benched Cody Zeller. Biyombo is averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds since moving into the lineup.
Forward P.J. Washington left the game in the second quarter with a leg contusion and did not return.
Hornets Look for Sweep
The Hornets will try to sweep the season series after upsetting the Suns 124-121 on Feb. 24 in Phoenix as 9.5-point underdogs.
Monk scored 29 points in 28:10 off the bench to lead the Hornets. Gordon Hayward scored 20 points and Ball had 20 points and eight assists.
The Suns lost despite shooting 50.6% (44-of-87) and getting 33 points from Booker. Paul finished with 20 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds while Ayton had 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Phoenix plays better away from home but the Hornets are playing well despite missing Ball. Look for Charlotte to at least keep things close.
Pick: Hornets +6.5 (-110)
John Perrotto
John Perrotto has been covering and writing about sports for various outlets for over 40 years. His work has appeared in the likes of USA TODAY, ESPN.com, SI.com, Forbes.com, The Associated Press, Baseball Digest, and more. John is based out of Beaver Falls, PA.
