The Charlotte Hornets have embarked on a seven-game winning streak, a significant turnaround from their earlier struggles in November when they lost seven consecutive games. This recent streak is their longest since the 2015-16 season and puts them just three wins shy of their franchise record of 10 straight wins set in the 1997-98 season. Currently holding a 23-28 record, Charlotte aims to extend this winning run to eight, something they haven’t achieved since the 1999-00 season, when they last won eight straight. They will face the Houston Rockets, who hold a 31-18 record, in Houston on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The Hornets haven’t lost since a close game against Cleveland on January 21 and have been winning decisively, with an average margin of nearly 14 points, including three wins by at least 27 points.
Historically, Charlotte has struggled against the Rockets lately, losing four of their last five meetings but managing to win three of their recent five encounters in Houston. The Rockets, despite winning eight of their last ten games, suffered a rare home loss to Boston on Wednesday, dropping their record on their own court to 17-5.
Other NBA matchups scheduled for Thursday include the 76ers visiting the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 10 p.m. ET. The Lakers, returning from a strong 5-3 road trip, will face a 76ers team poised to extend their current five-game winning streak, which started with two wins in a five-game series. The last time these teams met in December, the Lakers edged out the 76ers with a 112-108 victory.
In hockey news, seven NHL contests are planned before a 19-day pause for the 2026 Winter Olympics, including a game between the Ottawa Senators and the Philadelphia Flyers at 7 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Ottawa has won all four previous matchups against the Flyers this season, including two narrow decisions.
College basketball features a notable game between Memphis and UAB at 9 p.m. ET in Birmingham, Alabama. UAB, facing a four-game home losing streak, aims to turn things around against Memphis, which is savoring recent wins despite a three-game losing streak on the road.
Betting odds favor the Rockets by 3.5 points over the Hornets, the Lakers by 4.5 points over the 76ers, the Senators on the money line at -137, and UAB by 1.5 points against Memphis.
For viewers interested in live coverage, the Hornets vs. Rockets game is at 8 p.m. on NBA League Pass and Fubo, with SportsLine models predicting a high-scoring game potentially exceeding 216 points. The Lakers vs. 76ers game starts at 10 p.m., with predictions leaning towards a close contest, with the 76ers slightly favored to continue their winning streak.
In hockey, the Flyers-Senators game at 7 p.m. can be streamed on ESPN+. SportsLine models favor the Senators, but Flyers aim to turn their recent tough stretch around. College basketball’s Memphis-UAB game airs at 9 p.m. on ESPN2, with predictions favoring UAB to cover the spread despite recent struggles at home.
Fan Take: While this report is heavily basketball and hockey-focused, the underlying theme of team resilience and resurgence resonates across sports — reminding fans that no team remains in the depths for long. For hockey lovers, even as the NHL takes a break for the Olympics, these stories of comeback and determination serve as a reminder of why we love the game: the unpredictable journey of teams fighting to prove themselves on the ice.
