Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte Hornets NBA Playoff Odds
| Yes | +128 |
| No | -158 |
| Record | 30-30 |
| Current Place | No. 8 |
| Data as of Tuesday, odds via FanDuel | |
The Hornets have outperformed everyone’s expectations this season. They’ve hit the over on their 25.5 win total and are currently holding the No. 8 spot in the East.
The fact that oddsmakers have their odds to miss the playoffs at -158 is largely due to the injuries to their two best players, LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward — when Ball went down on March 20, the Hornets were in fourth place in the East.
Ball was having a star level impact in his rookie season with solid playmaking, scoring and defense. In 21 games as a starter, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.4% from the field and 42.6% from behind the arc. Ball was cleared to resume basketball activities last week and could return by the end of April to help the Hornets push for a playoff berth.
Losing Ball to a fractured wrist was tough enough but they also lost Hayward to a sprained right foot sprain April 2. He’ll be re-evaluated in about a week, but it’s tough to imagine him getting back in time to make a playoff push. Hayward was one of the team’s best scorers and playmakers, averaging 19.6 points, 4.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds.
Add in the injury to Malik Monk, who was averaging 13.1 points on 45.1% shooting off the bench, in addition to the games that P.J. Washington, Terry Rozier and Devonte Graham missed time in April, and you see a team that is struggling to overcome the injury bug.
The Hornets are 4-6 in their last 10 games and although they’ve had a solid wins against the Portland Trail Blazers and Boston Celtics, they have lost critical games to Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls over the past two week — all teams in the playoff hunt with them.
The Hornets have been a fun team to watch this season; Ball has been the clear cut Rookie of the Year and an irreplaceable ball handler for this team. Rozier has proven to be a solid veteran point guard, Miles Bridges and Washington are dangerous running towards the basket and Hayward is still a top tier wing in this league.
Unfortunately, some things just aren’t meant to be. Six of the Hornets’ next 12 game are against teams at or above .500 and two of their four road games are against teams below .500 but seeking to stay in the playoff race (Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards). Betting the “No” on this team to make the playoffs has real value.
Lean: No