Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets Final Score & Over/Under Result — Jan 18, 2026

The 225.5 market total looked destined to cash early, with the first quarter alone producing 51 combined points—a scorching pace that suggested a high-scoring affair. Charlotte's opening frame was particularly explosive at 33 points, but Denver's defense tightened considerably as the game wore on. The second quarter combined for just 43 points, a dramatic 8-point drop, and momentum never fully recovered. By halftime, 94 combined points sat well below the closing line, and the second half's 103 points—led by a game-high 53-point fourth quarter—proved insufficient to overcome the sluggish middle quarters. The final combined total of 197 landed 28.5 points under the market, and DAGGER leaned under, and it cashed.

Denver's offense largely sputtered outside of a strong fourth. Jamal Murray managed 16 points with 2 assists, while Julian Strawther added 15 points. Jalen Pickett orchestrated the bench with 7 assists and 12 points. Charlotte's Brandon Miller led all scorers with 23 points and 4 rebounds, while Ryan Kalkbrenner chipped in 17 points and 6 boards. Kon Knueppel rounded out the Hornets' depth with 14 points and 3 assists. Denver's recent form—averaging 112.4 points scored and 113.1 allowed over its last 10—suggested a team vulnerable to offensive slowdowns, and that script played out despite Charlotte's season-long scoring prowess at 120.0 per game.