The edge goes to the Rockets at home against the Hornets on Friday, February 26, at about 69%. That is a real edge, but the Hornets are far from out of it.
How the Win Meter reads
The Win Meter reads the Rockets 69%, with a projected score of Charlotte Hornets 112, Houston Rockets 117. The rating gap is 40 points in favor of the Rockets, and home court and rest add about 100 rating points for the Rockets on top of that.
Readings in this range leave plenty of room for the other side. About 31 times in 100 games like this, the Hornets would win.
Recent form
The Hornets are 2-1 this season and 3-2 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -13. The Rockets are 3-0 this season and 4-1 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of +3.
The Hornets were beaten 128-81 at home by ATL not long ago.
The Rockets' best recent win was 128-110 at home against DAL.
The Rockets were beaten 98-78 at home by LAL not long ago.
Offense against defense
The Hornets score 102 a game and allow 113.7. The Rockets score 121 and allow 111.3. Pairing each offense with the other defense points to about 106.7 for the Hornets and 117.4 for the Rockets, a simple check on the Win Meter's projection.
The Rockets have been tough to score on, which should slow the Hornets.
The Rockets should find points against the Hornets' defense, which has been giving up 113.7.
Injuries to watch
Out: Coby White (CHA), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Kon Knueppel (CHA), expected back Oct 28, 2026, Grant Williams (CHA), expected back Oct 30, 2026, Steven Adams (HOU), expected back Oct 28, 2026, and Quadir Copeland (HOU).
Day to day or questionable: Marcus Smart (HOU). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the series is even, with the Rockets outscoring the Hornets by an average of 0.5 points per game. The last meeting was HOU 105, CHA 101.