Charlotte ranks eighth defensively. Only seven teams give up fewer points per game than the Hornets. If you discount the Cavaliers scoring 112 points on them, the Hornets are giving up an average of 93.1 points per game during their last six games. They've held their past three opponents to 97 or fewer points.

The Hornets should maintain their defensive intensity for this matchup since they can still improve their playoff position. They'll also draw the Wizards likely missing star point guard John Wall. The Wizards aren't the same without Wall, who has missed the last two games with a sore knee. I would be stunned if Wall played since the Wizards were just eliminated from playoff contention.

But what about the Wizards' defense? Will it be good enough to hold up their share in keeping this total under?

A very early start time is a plus for the under. Neither team is used to playing at such an early hour. The Hornets have a strong recent history of going under when playing on Sunday. The over only has cashed once during Charlotte's past nine Sunday games.

The Wizards had been a good defensive team ranking in the top 10 in defensive ratings each of the previous three season. However, this season they slipped. Still, they are a respectable 15th in ratings this season. The key to keeping the Hornets in check is limiting Kemba Walker. The Wizards have proven successful in this holding him to 17.4 points - four points under his season average - and 33.8 percent shooting from the floor in three games this season. Career-wise, Walker is shooting 28.8 percent against Washington.

There are several pertinent under trends that line up, too. The under has cashed 75 percent of the time the past 21 times the Wizards have hosted an opponent with a losing road record. The Hornets and Wizards have gone under eight of the past 11 times they've met.