Charlotte aims to solidify playoff positioning with a decisive victory over Sacramento on March 24.
Category: Sports
The Charlotte Hornets (37-34) are on a roll, hoping to extend their winning streak to four games when they host the Sacramento Kings (19-53) on March 24, 2026. The matchup will take place at the Spectrum Center, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Charlotte is coming off a convincing 124-101 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on March 21, which marked their third consecutive win at home. Meanwhile, the Kings managed to edge out the Brooklyn Nets with a narrow 126-122 victory on March 22, but their season has been marred by struggles, having lost 53 games so far.
The Hornets are currently favored by 17.5 points according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, with a moneyline of -2000 for Charlotte and +1000 for Sacramento. The total points over/under is set at 231.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring game.
Historically, the Hornets lead the all-time series against the Kings with a record of 39-32, though Sacramento has managed to win three of the last four encounters. This matchup is particularly important for Charlotte, who is vying for playoff positioning and could create a three-way tie with a win, contingent on the Orlando Magic losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Charlotte's recent performances have been bolstered by standout player LaMelo Ball, who was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week prior to the game. Ball has been instrumental to the Hornets’ success, averaging 22.9 points over the last eight games. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc has contributed to the Hornets' impressive 38% three-point shooting percentage, ranking third best league-wide.
On the injury front, the Hornets will have Kon Knueppel available, albeit with some lower back soreness. Other notable players include Brandon Miller, who has been on fire with at least four three-pointers made per game over the last three outings, and Miles Bridges, who has focused on efficiency rather than volume.
For the Kings, the injury report is extensive. Key players such as Drew Eubanks, Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and De’Andre Hunter are all out for the season. Keegan Murray is also sidelined with an ankle injury, leaving Sacramento with a significantly depleted roster. Malik Monk, a former Hornet, is expected to step up after scoring 32 points against Brooklyn.
Statistically, the Kings are struggling on both ends of the floor. They rank 29th defensively with a rating of 119.8, allowing the second-highest field-goal percentage of 49.4%. Conversely, the Hornets have the fifth-best offensive rating at 117.9, making this matchup a potential mismatch.
Game predictions from various sources suggest that the Hornets are likely to cover the spread, with the SportsLine Projection Model simulating the game 10,000 times and predicting that the total points will exceed 231.5 with a 57.7% probability.
Fans can catch the game live on Fubo, with additional broadcasts available on FDSSE and NBCS-CA. For those wishing to attend the game, tickets can be purchased through platforms like StubHub.
With the stakes high for both teams, this game will impact the standings and provide a chance for the Hornets to solidify their playoff aspirations. A victory would mark their fourth win and send a message about their readiness for the postseason.
Expectations are high for LaMelo Ball, who is projected to score around 21.1 points, and for the Kings’ DeMar DeRozan, who averaged 19.9 points per game. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams eager to assert their dominance on the court.
With the Kings struggling and the Hornets riding a wave of momentum, this game could serve to highlight the contrasting trajectories of the two franchises. Will Charlotte continue their winning streak, or can Sacramento pull off an upset?
Whatever the outcome, March 24 is set to be an engaging night for NBA fans.