The Charlotte Hornets have not had a good season. In fact, the Hornets are having one of the worst seasons in the NBA. The most frustrating part about the Hornets is the team is led by some solid veterans.
Why is that so frustrating? Because even with solid vets, the Hornets are still awful. At some point, Charlotte’s front office has to throw its hands up and give in to the rebuild because the team, as it is currently constructed, is not going to compete.
Charlotte is on a three-game losing streak, most recently with a loss to the Pistons on Friday, even though it was favored by 1.5 points. Here is what you need to know about the latest Hornets’ betting odds.
Hornets hope for the future and NBA draft odds
The only goal of the Charlotte Hornets right now is the continued development of LaMelo Ball and to find another star to pair with him. The upcoming NBA Draft is readily seen as one of the most talent-filled draft classes of the last decade.
Charlotte controls its 2023 first-round pick as long as it is in the top 16, which is pretty much a guarantee as the Hornets have the NBA’s fourth-worst record. The Hornets have about a 50% chance of getting at least a top-four pick in the NBA Draft, which positions them well for NBA Rookie of the Year Odds. Let’s look at what the Hornets could do with that pick.
| Player | Current Team | FanDuel NC | DraftKings NC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 | -8000 | -4000 |
| Scoot Henderson | G League | +2500 | +1600 |
| Nick Smith Jr | Arkansas | 200-to-1 | 100-to-1 |
| Amen Thompson | Overtime Elite | 200-to-1 | 100-to-1 |
| Brandon Miller | Alabama | 200-to-1 | 150-to-1 |
Every online sportsbook has the French International Victor Wembanyama as the overwhelming favorite to be the first overall pick. At 7 feet, 4 inches tall with guard skills, he is one of a kind — the type of player never seen in the NBA, with the potential to change the future of a franchise single-handedly.
Scoot Henderson of the NBA’s G League is second, with odds between +1600 and +2500 to be drafted first. His elite athleticism makes up for some of his still-developing skills. He has the potential to be a top-five point guard in the NBA. Think prime Russell Westbrook or Ja Morant.
After the top two is where the question of who comes next, and there is a solid debate, primarily because there are quite a few potential stars that could be taken third overall. The top two picks are easy if Charlotte was to get either one. Even outside the top two, there are players that could definitely end up being NBA All-Stars and play well alongside Lamelo Ball.
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Charlotte Hornets Odds vs. Magic on Feb. 5
The Hornets and Magic will face off Sunday, Feb. 5, in their third of four matchups this season. The season series is tied 1-1, with each team covering the spread in their win. Even with this game being played in Charlotte, expect the Magic to be a slight favorite once NBA betting lines in NC are released on the various online sports betting apps.
The Magic are one of the best teams in the NBA against the spread. Orlando is 30-22-1 ATS this season which is third in the league. Orlando has won two of its last three games, despite being at least 5-point underdogs in each.
Hornets Betting Fast Facts
- Charlotte has lost three games in a row and covered the spread in only one of those games.
- The Hornets are 6-11 as home underdogs this season, which the Hornets will likely be against Orlando.
- Charlotte is a decent bet when a double-digit underdog. In 11 games this season in which the Hornets have been a 10-point or more underdog, they have won straight up four times. If one had bet the same wager on all 10 of those games, that bettor would bet a net positive +682.
- The Hornets are 8-15 ATS as a home team this season.
Charlotte Hornets Upcoming Games
Here are the Hornets’ upcoming games.
vs. Orlando — Sunday, Feb. 5
@Washington — Wednesday, Feb. 8
@Boston — Friday, Feb. 10
vs. Denver — Saturday, Feb. 11
vs. Atlanta — Monday, Feb. 13
Image Credit: Chuck Burton / AP Images
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