Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Picks and Predictions for Sunday March 8 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/08/2026, 01:35 AM ET

The Charlotte Hornets travel to Phoenix to face the Suns on Sunday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM with the game streaming on Peacock. Both teams come into this matchup looking to continue their push for positioning as the regular season progresses. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free NBA picks for more predictions and betting insights.

Hornets Carrying Offensive Confidence

Charlotte enters this matchup with a 32-32 overall record and a solid 18-15 record on the road. The Hornets have been playing strong basketball recently and have shown the ability to produce offense in several impressive performances. In their last five games, Charlotte has recently lost to Miami 128-120, recently won over Boston 118-89, recently won over Dallas 117-90, recently won over Portland 109-93, and recently won over Indiana 133-109.

The Hornets average 116.1 points per game while allowing 112.5 points per contest. Charlotte shoots 46 percent from the field and has been strong on the boards with 46.3 rebounds per game. They also average 26.6 assists per contest while contributing defensively with 4.5 blocks and 7.1 steals per game.

One of Charlotte’s biggest strengths this season has been their balanced offensive attack. Their scoring ability combined with solid rebounding and ball movement allows them to create consistent scoring opportunities. When the Hornets are pushing the tempo and sharing the ball effectively, they can be difficult for opposing defenses to slow down.

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Suns Hoping to Protect Home Court

Phoenix enters this matchup with a 36-27 overall record and a 21-13 record at home. The Suns have been competitive throughout the season and have demonstrated the ability to win games with both offense and defensive pressure. In their last five games, Phoenix has recently won over New Orleans 118-116, recently lost to Chicago 105-103, recently won over Sacramento 114-103, recently won over Los Angeles Lakers 113-110, and recently lost to Boston 97-81.

The Suns average 112.0 points per game while allowing 111.2 points per contest. Phoenix shoots 45 percent from the field and averages 24.6 assists per game. They also contribute defensively with 10.0 steals per game while collecting 43.5 rebounds per contest.

One of Phoenix’s biggest defensive strengths has been their ability to generate turnovers. Averaging 10 steals per game allows the Suns to create transition scoring opportunities and disrupt opposing offenses. If Phoenix can apply consistent defensive pressure, they could slow Charlotte’s offensive rhythm.

Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Pick

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte comes into this matchup with strong recent offensive performances and has shown the ability to compete well on the road. Their balanced scoring and rebounding advantage could help them stay competitive against a Phoenix team that has occasionally struggled to maintain offensive consistency.

While Phoenix does have the advantage of playing at home, Charlotte’s recent momentum and ability to generate offense may allow them to keep the game close. If the Hornets continue their efficient scoring and control the glass, they should be able to stay within the spread.

Charlotte Hornets vs Phoenix Suns Total Pick

Over #

I like the over in this matchup because Charlotte’s offense has been producing at a high level recently. The Hornets average over 116 points per game and have been involved in several high-scoring contests.

Phoenix also has the offensive talent to contribute on the scoreboard, especially when they generate turnovers and push the pace. With both teams capable of producing points, the total could move upward quickly.

Final Score Prediction: Phoenix Suns 118, Charlotte Hornets 115

This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Saturday.