Portland Trail Blazers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Ball set to return for the Hornets

The Portland Trail Blazers will face the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA at the Moda Center in another East v West match. Both sides have had contrasting seasons so far; who will emerge with the win?

This Portland Trail Blazers team is some distance from where they really should be this season. Languishing in 11th place in the Western Conference this season, the Trail Blazers have struggled to make any form of headway in the NBA. With All-Star Damian Lillard struggling to reach his peak performance level this season and CJ McCollum out with a pneumothorax, they have really struggled this season. Before he was ruled out, McCollum was averaging 20.6 points per game for the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers have 11 wins and 18 defeats so far this season.

The Charlotte Hornets have in their ranks some of the most exciting players in the NBA, including the reigning Rookie of the Year, LaMelo Ball. The Hornets currently occupy sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a 16-14 record this season in the NBA. They have missed Ball and several others in their last few matches due to COVID-19 regulations but can now call on Ball after full recovering and back to fitness.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been particularly poor in recent weeks, having lost seven consecutive games in the NBA. They will be looking to arrest their slump and find a way to win this time. The Charlotte Hornets have won three and lost four games in the same period, evidence of their better form. By virtue of both teams' form, the Charlotte Hornets are favorites to pick up the win from the game.

• Hornets to cover over 228.5 points for -110;
• Portland Trailblazers total point Even for -110;
• Hornets +1.5 and Under 226.5 for +265.