NBA · Tue, Dec 23 · 7:10 PM

Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets

Spectrum Center

GARY'S PICK

NBA@ Hornets· -106

TALE OF THE TAPE Charlotte Washington Record 9-20 ← 5-22 Off Rating 112.1 ← 110.8 Def Rating 116.1 ← 120.7 Net Rating -4.1 ← -9.9 Key Injuries Sexton (DBT) Whitmore (OUT) Gary's Take Don't let the records fool you—this is arguably the best situational spot of the week for the Washington Wizards. We have a classic "schedule loss" scenario for the Charlotte Hornets, who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back after an exhausting 139-132 track meet against Cleveland last night. Meanwhile, Washington has been resting since Saturday, giving them a massive energy advantage that often decides games between two lottery-bound teams. Beyond the fatigue, Charlotte's roster is decimated where it matters most: the paint. With Grant Williams out for the season and both Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kalkbrenner dealing with recent injuries, the Hornets have virtually no interior defense. This sets up perfectly for Washington's Alex Sarr (18.9 PPG), who has the size and athleticism to feast inside against an undersized Moussa Diabate or a tired Miles Bridges playing out of position. Statistically, the Wizards actually hold the edge in two critical "Four Factors" categories: effective field goal percentage (55.9% vs. 54.2%) and turnover rate. CJ McCollum and Bub Carrington should be able to control the tempo against a weary LaMelo Ball, who played heavy minutes last night. While Washington's defense is porous, Charlotte's tired legs will make it hard for them to cover this number. I'll take the points with the rested road dog, and I wouldn't be shocked if they win outright. Give me Washington +5.5 to keep this close or steal it.

The pick & result

Published pick: Washington Wizards +5.5 -106
Published odds: -106
Result: Lost
Final score: 109-126

Odds are the American price printed with this pick, not a current offer. Wins, losses and pushes remain on the public record; a missing grade is not a win.

The read

TALE OF THE TAPE

Charlotte Washington Record 9-20 ← 5-22 Off Rating 112.1 ← 110.8 Def Rating 116.1 ← 120.7 Net Rating -4.1 ← -9.9 Key Injuries Sexton (DBT) Whitmore (OUT)

Gary's Take Don't let the records fool you—this is arguably the best situational spot of the week for the Washington Wizards. We have a classic "schedule loss" scenario for the Charlotte Hornets, who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back after an exhausting 139-132 track meet against Cleveland last night. Meanwhile, Washington has been resting since Saturday, giving them a massive energy advantage that often decides games between two lottery-bound teams.

Beyond the fatigue, Charlotte's roster is decimated where it matters most: the paint. With Grant Williams out for the season and both Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kalkbrenner dealing with recent injuries, the Hornets have virtually no interior defense. This sets up perfectly for Washington's Alex Sarr (18.9 PPG), who has the size and athleticism to feast inside against an undersized Moussa Diabate or a tired Miles Bridges playing out of position.

Statistically, the Wizards actually hold the edge in two critical "Four Factors" categories: effective field goal percentage (55.9% vs. 54.2%) and turnover rate. CJ McCollum and Bub Carrington should be able to control the tempo against a weary LaMelo Ball, who played heavy minutes last night. While Washington's defense is porous, Charlotte's tired legs will make it hard for them to cover this number. I'll take the points with the rested road dog, and I wouldn't be shocked if they win outright.

Give me Washington +5.5 to keep this close or steal it.

Injuries noted

Washington Wizards: Cam Whitmore (Out) — Dec 22: Whitmore (shoulder) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Hornets.; Marvin Bagley III (Day-To-Day) — Dec 22: Bagley (calf) is questionable to play Tuesday versus the Hornets.; Bilal Coulibaly (Questionable) — Dec 22: Coulibaly (ankle) is questionable for Tuesday's game in Charlotte.

Charlotte Hornets: Ryan Kalkbrenner (Questionable) — Dec 23: Kalkbrenner (elbow) will not play Monday against the Cavaliers.; Mason Plumlee (Questionable) — Dec 22: Plumlee has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Cavaliers due to right groin soreness. He'll finish the night with five points (2-4 FG, 1-1 FT) and five rebounds in 10 minutes.; Collin Sexton (Doubtful) — Dec 22: Sexton (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Cleveland.; Grant Williams (Out) — Dec 13: Williams (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland.

About this analysis

Who made it: Gary AI, an AI sports-analysis product operated by Gary A.I. LLC. No human reviewer is claimed unless one is explicitly named.
Published data: Daily picks first stored December 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM ET.
Odds record: The pick receipt shows the price printed in the published ticket. The matchup market and line ladder provide separate market context. Source names were not retained with this pick.
Accountability: Read the editorial standards, source policy, and corrections process.

Props on this game

GARY'S PICK
MILES BRIDGESPTS OVER 20.5
NBACharlotte Hornets· -110
LOST · ACTUAL 10
Miles Bridges is going to have a field day against this Washington defense tonight. The Wizards have been giving up points like they’re going out of style, especially to athletic wings who can attack the basket with power. With Washington lacking a real anchor in the middle right now, Bridges should be able to bully his way into the paint and get high-percentage looks all night long. He’s been seeing a massive amount of volume lately, and in a game that’s expected to be a high-paced track meet, he’s a clear focal point for the scoring attack. I expect him to blow past this number because he's simply too physical for anyone the Wizards can throw at him. It’s a perfect matchup for his skill set given how much Washington struggles to stop transition scoring and easy buckets in the paint.
Miles Bridges
Pts over 20.5
-110 · LOST · ACTUAL 10
Charlotte Hornets
Miles Bridges is going to have a field day against this Washington defense tonight. The Wizards have been giving up points like they’re going out of style, especially to athletic wings who can attack the basket with power.
With Washington lacking a real anchor in the middle right now, Bridges should be able to bully his way into the paint and get high-percentage looks all night long. He’s been seeing a massive amount of volume lately, and in a game that’s expected to be a high-paced track meet, he’s a clear focal point for the scoring attack.
I expect him to blow past this number because he's simply too physical for anyone the Wizards can throw at him. It’s a perfect matchup for his skill set given how much Washington struggles to stop transition scoring and easy buckets in the paint.
GARY'S PICK
C.J. MCCOLLUMPTS OVER 17.5
NBANew Orleans Pelicans· -120
LOST · ACTUAL 14
C.J. McCollum is stepping into a great situation tonight where he should have the ultimate green light to score. He’s one of the most polished scorers in the game, and when he gets into a high-paced environment against a team that doesn't prioritize perimeter defense, he usually takes over. With the current rotation lacking some of its usual depth, the offensive workload is going to fall squarely on his shoulders to keep the scoreboard moving. I’ve watched him time and again find his rhythm in the midrange, and I think he’ll find plenty of open space tonight against a defense that struggles to close out on veteran shooters. The flow of this game is going to be fast and loose, giving him more than enough shot attempts to reach this total comfortably. Expect C.J. to be aggressive early and often as the primary engine for the offense.
C.J. McCollum
Pts over 17.5
-120 · LOST · ACTUAL 14
New Orleans Pelicans
C.J. McCollum is stepping into a great situation tonight where he should have the ultimate green light to score. He’s one of the most polished scorers in the game, and when he gets into a high-paced environment against a team that doesn't prioritize perimeter defense, he usually takes over.
With the current rotation lacking some of its usual depth, the offensive workload is going to fall squarely on his shoulders to keep the scoreboard moving. I’ve watched him time and again find his rhythm in the midrange, and I think he’ll find plenty of open space tonight against a defense that struggles to close out on veteran shooters. The flow of this game is going to be fast and loose, giving him more than enough shot attempts to reach this total comfortably.
Expect C.J. to be aggressive early and often as the primary engine for the offense.

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