Betting tips from AI for Denver Nuggets vs Charlotte Hornets, 19 January 2026.

Jokic is out and Denver also has Jonas Valančiūnas and Christian Braun sidelined while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are questionable, so Denver’s depth will be tested. Charlotte comes in riding a 135-117 rout of the Lakers — 20 threes and 50 boards — and models give the Hornets a 55-44% edge with a 119-118 projection. Book prices: Nuggets 1.68, Hornets 2.26.

That math matters: +126 needs roughly a 44% win chance to breakeven, so a 55% model estimate implies clear positive EV. Denver’s offense is elite, but Jokic’s absence increases variance in the paint and on the glass, where Charlotte just excelled. I prefer the Hornets as the value play on a $1 wager.

The Denver Nuggets, typically formidable at home, face a daunting challenge tonight. Star Nikola Jokic is sidelined with injury, joined by centers Jonas Valanciunas and Christian Braun, while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon remain questionable. This massive depletion of talent severely tests Denver's depth against Charlotte. Despite the Nuggets' recent offensive prowess, dropping over 110 points in nearly 70% of games, their ability to maintain this without their MVP is highly suspect.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets, though struggling at 15-26, are coming off a stunning 135-117 blowout win over the Lakers, showcasing their offensive firepower with 20 threes and 50 boards. While Mason Plumlee is out for Charlotte, the impact is lessened with Jokic's absence. Crucially, betting models give Charlotte a slight upset edge at 55-44% with a projected 119-118 nail-biter. The bookmaker odds of Denver at 1.68 and Charlotte at 2.26 present significant value on the Hornets given these projections. This isn't the same dominant Nuggets team without Jokic in the paint. The Hornets, riding high, are poised for the upset.

The Nuggets are in serious trouble with Nikola Jokic sidelined and potentially missing both Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. This creates a perfect storm for an upset, as Denver's entire offensive system runs through Jokic. Without their MVP, they'll struggle to maintain their usual offensive output.

Charlotte comes in with momentum after dismantling the Lakers with a 20-three-pointer performance. Their confidence is peaking at the right time to face a depleted Denver squad. The Hornets' recent 135-point outburst demonstrates they can capitalize on weakened defenses.

The betting odds at 1.68 for Denver seem misaligned with the injury situation. Charlotte at 2.26 offers tremendous value considering Denver is missing its core. The projected 119-118 score from models supports this being much closer than the odds suggest.

While Mason Plumlee's absence hurts Charlotte's frontcourt, it pales in comparison to Denver's missing stars. Expect the Hornets to exploit Denver's depleted interior defense and pull off the upset.

The Denver Nuggets, sitting pretty at 28-13, face a rare vulnerability without their MVP Nikola Jokic, who's sidelined with an injury. Add in questionable tags on Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, plus bench absences for Jonas Valanciunas and Christian Braun, and Denver's depth is suddenly paper-thin. They're still an offensive juggernaut, averaging over 110 points in 70% of recent games and pushing totals past 220 in most of their last 16, but can they hold the fort in the paint against a hungry Charlotte squad?

Enter the Charlotte Hornets, limping at 15-26 but fresh off a statement 135-117 demolition of the Lakers, where they sank 20 threes and snagged 50 rebounds to show they belong. Sure, Mason Plumlee's out, thinning their frontcourt too, but this road underdog has upset potential in a projected 119-118 thriller. Models tilt 55-44% toward Charlotte, and with Denver desperate without Jokic, the Hornets' momentum could flip the script at Ball Arena.

Betting value screams Charlotte at 2.26—a smart play on the chaos. This feels like the night the Hornets steal one on the road.

The Denver Nuggets are severely hampered with Nikola Jokic injured and key players like Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon questionable, testing their depth against a surging Charlotte Hornets squad. Charlotte comes off a stunning 135-117 blowout win over the Lakers, draining 20 threes and grabbing 50 boards, proving they can compete with elite teams.

Models give the Hornets a 55-44% upset edge, projecting a tight 119-118 contest, as Denver's high-scoring offense faces its first big test without Jokic. Despite Mason Plumlee's absence thinning Charlotte's frontcourt, the value at 2.26 odds is compelling against Denver's 1.68, with momentum and matchup favoring the underdogs.

The Denver Nuggets enter this matchup against the Charlotte Hornets as favorites with odds of 1.68, but there are glaring red flags that could make this a tricky spot for them. Nikola Jokic, their MVP-caliber center, is sidelined alongside Jonas Valanciunas and Christian Braun. To compound matters, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon are questionable, leaving Denver’s depth alarmingly thin. The Nuggets rely heavily on their offensive firepower, having scored over 110 points in nearly 70% of recent games, but without Jokic anchoring the paint, their scoring efficiency might dip significantly.

Charlotte, despite their middling 15-26 record, showed they can explode offensively by torching the Lakers for 135 points in their last game. They shot an impressive 20 threes and dominated the boards with 50 rebounds. While Mason Plumlee’s absence weakens their frontcourt, their confidence is peaking after snapping a losing streak. Models give them a slight edge in this contest at 55-44%, projecting a nail-biter finish at 119-118.

Given the Nuggets' injury woes and Charlotte's newfound momentum, the Hornets at 2.26 present excellent value. Denver may still be the more talented team on paper, but without Jokic to control the tempo and create mismatches, they’re vulnerable. Expect the Hornets to capitalize on Denver’s misfortunes and pull off a narrow upset.