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Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets Preview, Prediction & Odds | January 26, 2026

Originally posted on Total Apex Fantasy Sports
By Jordan Ramos | Last updated Jan 26, 2026 3:12 PM ET

The NBA season has been a spectacle this season, and it continues with the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte has been having another miserable season, but could upset the 76ers, who are coming off a crushing loss against the Knicks.

Today’s game for the 76ers could help them keep pace with their conference rivals in the Eastern Conference against a weak Hornets team. Charlotte is hoping to keep away from the bottom of the barrel. The Sixers have been improving from an awful season last year, and could have a bounce-back game against the Hornets, even without two of their veteran stars.

Charlotte has been improving with winning two of their last three games, and could keep their momentum going. Bettors could have a fun game with the Philadelphia 76ers taking on the Charlotte Hornets in a must-win game for them.

Game Details

Date: January 26, 2026

Time: 3:00 PM

Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

TV/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Philadelphia, League Pass

Odds: (CHA -190, Charlotte -3.5, o/u 227.5)

Team Form & Recent Results

Philadelphia 76ers Recent Form

Won five of ten games, and have a solid road record, but dropped an important game against the Knicks.
7th in steals, 12th in defensive ratings, 18th in rebounds, 19th in assists
Philadelphia is hoping to bounce back after a crushing loss to the Knicks.
Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points, three rebounds, and four assists.

Charlotte Hornets Recent Form

Won two straight games, winning five of ten games.
Are 12th in the Eastern conference, being 18-28 due to their poor offensive stars and other elements.
Charlotte’s three-point shooting has been solid, with Charlotte being third in the league, and could play well against the Sixers.
Won against the Wizards in a close game on Saturday.

Key Storylines

For the Philadelphia 76ers, they will be without Paul George and Joel Embiid, while the Hornets will be without KJ Simpson, Mason Plumlee, and having Colin Sexton as a game time decison.
Colin Sexton will be a game time decison for the Hornets.
The Philadelphia 76ers are hoping to keep pace with their rivals in the Eastern Conference, while the Hornets are looking to find hope in another lost season.
Philadelphia’s defense has been playing well, ranking well in steals and defensive ratings in the league.
Las Vegas is leaning toward the Hornets due to the roster being healthy, against the Sixers, who are losing two of their top stars.

Players to Watch

Philadelphia 76ers

VJ Edgecombe
The 76ers’ rookie star has been playing well, and while inconsistent, has been playing better.
Scored 14 points, three rebounds, and four assists with 39 minutes on the court

Charlotte Hornets

Brandon Miller
Miller has recorded a double-double in his last game against the Wizards with seven assists.
The Hornets star has been having a strong stretch of games, scoring twenty points in his last six games.

Matchup Breakdown

Offense vs. Defense

The Philadelphia 76ers’ offense has been inconsistent, with Maxey and Edgecombe having hot and cold days, but the defense has been solid. Embiid has been playing well when healthy, along with George, but without them, they could fall apart.

While the Hornets are a poor team, defensively and offensively, they could steal a game against the Sixers. Charlotte has been having a two-game winning streak and could continue their strong play at home today.

Coaching / Strategy Notes

For the Philadelphia 76ers, the defense needs to overperform against the Hornets on the road, even after a brutal loss to the Knicks. The Sixers also need to depend on Edgecombe to be in form against the Hornets, who have been sluggish in their last five games. Philly also needs a strong game from the Sixers’ depth players, who are filling in for George and Embiid.

Charlotte to win this game needs to depend on their star power in LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and others to overperform against the Sixers. Bettors could also see a solid game from the Hornets’ stars with a chance to get the over points for both teams.

Prediction

Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers 115, Charlotte Hornets 105

How to Watch

TV channel/Local broadcasts: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Philadelphia,
Streaming: NBA League Pass
Radio: SiriusXM

FAQ SECTION

Q: What time is the [Philadelphia 76ers] vs. [Charlotte Hornets] game?

A: [The game will be on at 3:00 PM Eastern time for fans on the East Coast]

Q: Who is favored to win?

A: [Charlotte Hornets, due to the injuries from the Sixers affecting the team, along with losing their defensive stars, and potentially collapsing against them.]

Q: Where is the game being played?

A: [Spectrum Center Charlotte, NC]

Q: What are the betting odds?

A: [CHA -154, Charlotte -3.5, o/u 227.5]

Conclusion

While the Charlotte Hornets have a chance to win this game, the Philadelphia 76ers could win this game against them and have a chance to cover against them for bettors. Bettors could see the Sixers win this game with a close win and cover against the Hornets.

Even with their stars hurt, the Sixers have the depth to win this game against the Hornets, who are struggling against top teams in the East. Bettors could have a great game with the Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets taking on each other today.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Fantasy Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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