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New Orleans Pelicans won
Charlotte Hornets faces New Orleans Pelicans in NBA Las Vegas Summer League action on July 11, with bookmakers firmly backing Charlotte at 70.1% implied probability. This is a Summer League contest featuring young prospects and developmental players, so roster context matters more than franchise history.
Charlotte enters this matchup on the back of a convincing 86-74 victory over Orlando Magic, demonstrating defensive solidity and controlled execution. Their active roster includes Salaun Tidjane, R. Kalkbrenner, L. McNeeley, and S. James among others — a group that showed cohesion in their opener. Both teams carry a high fatigue risk rating with just one day of rest, so conditioning and depth will be tested equally.
New Orleans dropped their opener 92-105 to Minnesota Timberwolves, conceding at a high rate and struggling to generate consistent offense. Their Summer League roster — featuring H. Dickinson, Bufkin Kobe, and D. Daniels Jr — will need to tighten defensively to stay competitive. The Pelicans' -13 goal differential from game one is a concern heading into this matchup.
With Charlotte ranked 3rd in the Summer League standings and New Orleans sitting 29th, the 26-position gap is significant even in this developmental context. The spread pick leans Charlotte to cover, and with both teams scoring in the 86-105 range in their openers, the total should land in the mid-to-high 170s. Back Charlotte to win and cover.
Last 10 head-to-head matchups
Looking only at head-to-head meetings within the last two years, Charlotte defeated New Orleans 102-95 in February 2026, and New...
Looking only at head-to-head meetings within the last two years, Charlotte defeated New Orleans 102-95 in February 2026, and New Orleans won 112-116 (as away team) in November 2025. That gives Charlotte a 1-1 split in recent regular-season meetings, with both games relatively competitive. The Summer League context differs significantly from regular-season play, as rosters are entirely different developmental squads, so these prior results offer limited direct predictive value here.
Last 1 matches across all competitionsNBA - Las Vegas Summer League matches highlighted
1 of 1 in NBA - Las Vegas Summer League
Form Rating
10/10
Charlotte enters this game with a 1-0 Summer League record after defeating Orlando Magic 86-74...
Charlotte enters this game with a 1-0 Summer League record after defeating Orlando Magic 86-74 — a 12-point margin that reflects both offensive efficiency and defensive discipline. Their active roster includes Salaun Tidjane, R. Kalkbrenner, L. McNeeley, L. Wrightsell, and S. James, among others. Both teams share a high fatigue risk rating with one day of rest, so Charlotte holds no schedule edge. However, their positive momentum, clean defensive performance in game one, and superior Summer League standing make them the more settled unit heading into this contest.
1 of 1 in NBA - Las Vegas Summer League
Form Rating
0/10
New Orleans dropped their Summer League opener 92-105 to Minnesota Timberwolves, conceding 105 points and...
New Orleans dropped their Summer League opener 92-105 to Minnesota Timberwolves, conceding 105 points and finishing with a -13 point differential. Their active roster — including H. Dickinson, Bufkin Kobe, C. Bell, D. Daniels Jr, and M. Nowell — showed some offensive capability at 92 points but struggled defensively. The Pelicans sit 29th in the Summer League standings with zero points. With roughly 48 hours of rest compared to Charlotte's 44, they hold a marginal schedule edge, but their defensive vulnerabilities from game one remain a significant concern entering this matchup.
2026 Season
No reported injuries or suspensions for either team
Moderate
Weak
Unfavorable
Low
Charlotte Hornets vs New Orleans Pelicans - Match Analysis
Yes, Charlotte is the recommended spread pick. They enter with a 12-point win in their opener, a strong defensive showing holding Orlando to 74 points, and bookmakers pricing them at 70.1% implied probability. New Orleans conceded 105 in their first game and sit 26 positions below Charlotte in the Summer League standings. The defensive gap between these two squads is the key driver — Charlotte's structure and momentum make them a credible cover candidate.
The combined scoring signal from both teams' openers lands at 178 points — Charlotte scored 86, New Orleans scored 92. Both teams carry high fatigue risk with limited rest. Summer League second games often see slightly lower scoring as rotations settle and defensive adjustments are made. If the total is set near 178 or higher, the Under carries value. If set closer to 170, the Over becomes more attractive given New Orleans' tendency to give up points.
It's possible but unlikely at 29.9% implied probability. New Orleans showed they can score — 92 points in their opener — but their defense conceded 105, which is a significant red flag. Charlotte's defensive discipline and positive momentum from game one give them a clear edge. For an upset to materialize, New Orleans would need a major defensive improvement and Charlotte to shoot poorly. The 26-position standings gap and bookmaker consensus both point away from a Pelicans victory.
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